Editing Hypericum (section)

==Traditional medicine and adverse effects==
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[[Common St. John's-wort]] (''H. perforatum'') has long been used in [[traditional medicine]] as an [[extract]] to treat [[depression (mood)|depression]].<ref name="nccih">{{cite web |title=St. John's wort and depression: in depth |url=https://nccih.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm |publisher=National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health |access-date=22 February 2019 |date=1 December 2017}}</ref> ''H. perforatum'' is the most commonly used species &ndash; especially in Europe &ndash; as an herbal substitute for [[prescription drug]]s to treat depression, and is also sold as a [[dietary supplement]].<ref name=nccih/> One [[meta-analysis]] found that St John's wort had similar efficacy and safety as prescriptions drugs to treat mild-to-moderate depression, such as [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]]s.<ref name="pmid28064110">{{cite journal |vauthors=Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CY |title=Clinical use of ''Hypericum perforatum'' (St John's wort) in depression: A meta-analysis |journal=J Affect Disord |volume=210 |pages=211–221 |date=1 March 2017 |pmid=28064110 |doi=10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048 }}</ref>

There is evidence that combining St. John’s wort with prescription [[antidepressant]]s may cause [[adverse effect]]s, such as a life-threatening increase of [[serotonin]], the brain chemical targeted by some drugs used for depression.<ref name=nccih/> Symptoms may include agitation, [[diarrhea]], high [[blood pressure]], and [[hallucination]]s.<ref name=nccih/>  Taking St. John’s wort may interfere with and reduce the efficacy of prescription drugs used to treat depression.<ref name=nccih/>

St. John's wort interacts with hormonal [[Birth control|contraceptives]], reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/st-john-s-wort-interaction-with-hormonal-contraceptives-including-implants|title=St John's wort: interaction with hormonal contraceptives, including implants|date=11 December 2014|publisher=Drug Safety, Gov.UK|access-date=15 August 2022 }}</ref>