Is Hypertension Stimulated
St Johns Wort is a bright, yellow flower. Its petals are used as an herbal remedy that can be administered as a topical ointment for healing burns, but it is primarily used as an oral dietary supplement to treat mild depression.
Studies have found that one of St Johns Wort’s active ingredients, hypericin, affects neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in a similar way as antidepressant medications. The reason why the active ingredient is
ivf centers is because it mirrors monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, which is the ingredient found in major antidepressant drugs.
How is hypertension caused by St Johns Wort?
St Johns Wort can cause an increase in blood pressure because the hypericin ingredient that is similar to a MAO inhibitor, produces a powerful and dangerous reaction when mixed with the amino acid tyramine.
Reactions that can occur when tyramine is taken in excess with this herb include a fast rise in blood pressure, severe headaches, and irregular heartbeat. However, it should be also stated that although these reactions can occur, there have not been frequent reports of such occurrences.
Nevertheless, until more is understood about the interaction, a person taking St Johns Wort should dramatically limit or avoid foods or beverages high in tyramine including:
- Aged, dried, smoked, pickled or processed fish or meats (I.E. bologna, salami, pepperoni, herring, etc.)
- Chicken liver
- Aged cheese
- Soy sauce
- Yeast/protein extracts
- Legumes
- Over-ripe fruit
- Figs or raisins
- Alcoholic beverages including ale, beer, red wines, sherry and liqueurs.
It is also suggested that individuals taking St Johns Wort also limit their intake of caffeine.
Moreover, aside from being aware of hypertension caused by St Johns Wort due to the tyramine interaction, you should also know that like all herbs, there is a risk that St Johns Wort may interact with other medications, including those used for controlling high blood pressure.
In addition, some users of the herb have also reported St Johns Wort caused a spike in their blood pressure when other prescribed anti-depressant and over-the-counter medications were taken with it.
Although, studies have found there is only a small reaction when other medications are taken with St Johns Wort, until further research can conclude the side effects or risks involved it
10 ivf clinics recommended that those using St Johns Wort to treat mild depression not take any other form of medication and also have their blood pressure checked regularly.
Finally, since hypertension caused by St Johns Wort is a possibility, individuals with high blood pressure, who have previously had high blood pressure,
fertility clinics in are prone to the condition, should avoid taking this herb. Speak to your doctor about other alternative remedies that do not increase the risk of high blood pressure if you suffer from mild depression.