St. John's Wort looked to as a possible IC medication
Story originally posted on May 26, 2006
The results of a recent study show that researchers are looking towards a very old and well established herbal medicine as a possible aid in the fight against IC. Used since at least ancient Greece Hypericum perforatum (the scientific name for St. John's Wort) has continued to be in use ever since and was well known to Native Americans who were keen on using the plant for it's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Today this plant is sometimes used in mainstream medicine in the treatment such things as anxiety and depression, of which is probably the best known herbal treatment for this condition. For such conditions and others the plant is usually taken in the form of a capsule, tincture or tablet and is readily available over the counter (OTC).
It is interesting to note that that use of pharmaceutical anti-depressant medications such as Elavil is well established among physicians as one form of IC treatment, and so making the connection between a natural anti-depressant and its potential use in helping IC is very encouraging (especially for those with IC who do not choose to use pharmaceuticals to help their symptoms, or to those who are not finding relief elsewhere). Past research has determined that lower urinary tract neural control is directed by serotonin and norepinephrine-emitting neurons, which resemble those that come into affect with anxiety and depression. As such research has shown that medications which affect norepinephrine and serotonin can be used to help get urinary tract activity under better control.
Animal studies in which rats with bladder inflammation had a formulation of St. John's Wort (named DP015) injected into their abdomens has shown a decrease in bladder hyperactivity (spasms) within those animal models. This is encouraging news as bladder hyperactivity is thought to be a key reason behind a lot of the pain and irritation experienced by IC bladders. Further research on human subjects under clinical settings will be needed to help officially establish whether or not St. John's Wort could be of much benefit to IC patients.
If you are interested in trying St. John's Wort yourself please speak with your health care. While generally well tolerated by most people St. John's Wort can cause negative drug interactions with several types of medication including opioids, oral contraceptives, immune-suppressants, and antidepressants and as with all supplements you choose to take, St. John's Wort is something that your doctors and pharmacists should be consulted about before trying.
It is always hopeful when naturally occurring substances are looked at as potential IC medications, not only are they often readily available to the masses and usually less expensive then pharmaceuticals, but they may also carry a lower risk of side affects and negative long term affects.
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