Adverse reactions to St John's Wort.
OBJECTIVE
To report 2 cases of adverse reactions to St John's wort, a popular herbal treatment for depression.


METHODS
We present 2 case histories and review the existing literature regarding St John's wort.


RESULTS
St John's wort may cause serotonin syndrome in sensitive patients. In addition, St John's wort may be associated with hair loss.


CONCLUSIONS
For clinical reasons, it is important to recognize and report adverse reactions to herbal remedies and to document that these treatments have side effects commensurate with their potent action on brain neurochemistry.
Parker
V
V
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
Wong
A H
AH
Boon
H S
HS
Seeman
M V
MV
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*