wort

1. A suffix in the popular names of many plants, such as liverwort, lungwort, woundwort, etc. 2. An infusion of malt. [A.S. wyrt, a plant]

- St. John's w. a shrubby perennial (Hypericum perforatum) with numerous orange-yellow flowers whose petals may be speckled black along their margins; a herbal antidepressant that compares favorably with standard synthetic psychopharmaceutical agents in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.In medieval folk-medicine this herb, traditionally gathered on the eve of the feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24), was used against various illnesses, including hysteria and epilepsy, as well as witches' spells and diabolical possession. In Europe, St. John's w. is widely prescribed for the treatment of depression. The herb has been shown in placebo-controlled trials to lessen depression, anxiety, apathy, sleep disturbances, insomnia, anorexia, and feelings of worthlessness. EEG studies have shown that it improves sleep intensity without increasing total sleep duration or interfering with REM sleep. In clinical comparisons it was only slightly inferior to the tricyclic agents imipramine, amitriptyline, and desipramine in abolishing depressive symptoms. In addition, memory and other mental functions may be improved instead of being blunted as with prescription antidepressants. No controlled studies comparing the efficacy of St. John's w. with that of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been published. Fewer than 3% of subjects in clinical trials noted any side effect s. Those most frequently experienced were gastrointestinal irritation, allergic reactions, fatigue, restlessness, and photodermatitis. The principal active ingredient of St. John's w. is believed to be hypericin, which has been shown in vitro to inhibit the uptake or biodegradation of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It also binds to γ-aminobutyric acid receptors on CNS neurons and improves the signal produced by serotonin after it binds to its receptors. Ongoing studies seek to define the psychopharmaceutical potential of this agent more precisely and to confirm the safety of its use. Because it inhibits monoamine oxidase, at least in vitro, its use with other antidepressants is not recommended. It is not considered appropriate during pregnancy or in the treatment of severe depression with serious risk of suicide or of depression accompanied by psychosis.