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Plant
Remedies
St
John's Wort research
St. John’s Wort may
inhibit sperm
St John’s Wort the natural remedy
for mild depression may have some undesired side effects. It is has been
shown that the herb may cause photosensitising of the skin and should, as
a result, be avoided or taken with caution/under supervision when in
prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. However, new research indicates St
John’s Wort may also inhibit sperm motility in men.
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Trials to measure sperm motility
were carried out by incubating them in either of the following herbs;
saw-palmetto (Serenoa repens, Permixon Sabal serrulatum), echinacea
purpura, ginkgo biloba, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
The results showed that sperm
motility was inhibited most using a concentration of (0.6 mg/mL) of St.
John’s wort. The other herbs that recorded a response were saw-palmetto,
echinacea, and ginkgo.
The study showed a significant
reduction in the sperm movement in the St. John’s wort. Furthermore,
sperm capability was also compromised in the St. John’s wort, suggesting
it had a spermicidal effect. Other changes noted among the other herbs
were a metabolic change in the saw-palmetto-treated sperm,
high-concentration echinacea interfered with sperm enzymes and ginkgo
having no antioxidant effect on sperm motion.
Source:Inhibition of
human sperm motility by specific herbs used in alternative
medicine.Ondrizek RR; Chan PJ; Patton WC; King A Department of Gynecology
and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California, USA.
J Assist Reprod Genet, 16:87-91, 1999 Feb
link: depression
research st johns wort
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Internet Health Library 2000
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