St. John's wort may cool hot flashes

Most people who have heard of St. John's wort know that it is used as a herbal antidepressant. However researchers have also investigated the herb's effects on menopausal symptoms, focussing on its impact on mood. But no-one, until recently, had investigated its effect on the physical symptoms of menopause.

Marjan Khajehei, of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, who carried out a new study, found that St John's Wort can also be used to treat menopausal hot flashes. 

Khajehei and her colleagues carried out a placebo controlled trial, giving either St John's Wort, or a placebo to a group of women (who did not know whether they were taking the herb or the placebo). After eight weeks they found that the women who had taken the herb noticed that they were suffering from fewer hot flashes, that they were less severe and were lasting for less time..

Khajehei and her colleagues reported their findings in the journal Menopause.

The study included 100 women who were 50 years old, on average, and had been having moderate to severe hot flashes at least once per day. The women were randomly assigned to take either drops containing St. John's wort extract or placebo drops three times a day for eight weeks.

While women in both groups saw their hot flashes improve, those taking the herbal extract had a better response, on average.

St. John's wort contains estrogen-like plant compounds called phytoestrogens, and it's possible that these compounds explain the benefits seen in this study, according to Khajehei. However, she said, further research is needed to confirm that the herb eases hot flashes and that phytoestrogens are the reason.

Contraindications
Khajehei said that St. John's wort is generally considered safe when taken as directed, but since phytoestrogens have mild estrogen-like effects in the body, women who have a history of breast or endometrial cancers should talk with their doctors before starting St. John's wort.
The herb has also been shown to interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, the heart medication digoxin and the blood thinner warfarin. Experts generally recommend that people on any medication talk with their doctors before starting a herbal remedy.

SOURCE: Menopause, February 2010.


Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:15am ESTNEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The popular herbal remedy St. John's wort may help ease menopausal hot flashes, a small study suggests.