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Possible Pitfalls Of St. John's Wort And Black Cohosh Combo

Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A September 4, 2007

Q. I have been taking St. John’s wort and black cohosh to relieve symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. This combination works really well. Are there any negative effects that should concern me?

A. The combination of St. John’s wort and black cohosh is often used in Europe to treat menopausal symptoms. There are, however, a few potential pitfalls.

Black cohosh has been linked to rare cases of elevated liver enzymes. You should ask your doctor to monitor you.

St. John’s wort can interact with many medications. Do not take it with any drugs unless you verify with your pharmacist that there is no interaction.

More disconcerting is the possibility of eye damage. St. John’s wort contains hypericin. When this compound is exposed to visible light it is activated and creates dangerous chemicals called free radicals. Joan Roberts, PhD, of Fordham University has found hypericin can harm lens tissue and might also damage the retina (Photochemistry and Photobiology, May/June, 2007).

Anyone taking St. John’s wort for depression or menopausal symptoms should avoid sunlight and even bright indoor light. Sunglasses cannot protect the eye adequately against this possible side effect. 

Tags: Black Cohosh, Hot Flashes, Menopause, Night Sweats, St. John's Wort, Sunlight

Reader Comments

The comments below are provided by the users of this site and not by The Peoples Pharmacy or the Graedons. Please also remember that nothing contained in this site is intended as a substitute for medical advice.

My husband read me the side effects of St. John's Wort. I had all but one and was about to go thru tests. I felt drugged, sleepy, had hot flashes, no energy & bad sleep. Stopped SJW immediately and I'm back to my old self and feel wonderful. Thank you so much. I thought SJW was an innocent herb; never dreamed it could affect me like that.

Posted by: Nancy | September 5, 2007 6:57 PM

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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

© 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.