Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Dispel The Winter Blues Naturally

DISPEL THE WINTER BLUES WITH ST JOHN’S WORT AND PASSION FLOWER

It is the time of year when many people start to feel down and depressed. The short days, dark mornings and afternoons and cold, damp weather can all lead some people to suffer from the ‘winter blues’. One in six people in the UK is reported to suffer from depression: many more don’t visit their doctors so don’t count in the statistics.

A natural supplement that combines herbal ingredients to help with mild depression and anxiety may help. St John’s Wort with Passion Flower provides the combination of an effective natural anti-depressant with the calming properties of Passion Flower to relieve mild to moderate depression, anxiety and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) without the side-effects so often associated with prescription drugs.

A Winning Combination

It is thought that the synergistic behaviour of these two herbs in one supplement is more effective than if each was taken separately. The two key aspects that each treats – mild depression and anxiety – are interrelated: if you are mildly depressed you feel anxious and if you are anxious this can lead to mild depression. Conversely, if you manage your anxiety you'll be less depressed and if you are less depressed you anxiety levels will fall. As mild depression and anxiety co-exist in people, so do the herbs that can help in this St John’s Wort with Passion Flower supplement.

What is depression?

Although many people experience feelings of depression it is when symptoms continue unabated for a period of time that they are diagnosed with the condition. Symptoms include:

·Sombre mood---Lack of energy
·Anxiety and irritability--Fatigue
·Apathy--Insomnia or too much sleeping
·Indecisiveness--Sadness and crying
·Inability to focus or concentrate--Low self-esteem
·Too much or too little appetite

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been recognised for some time to relieve the symptoms of depression and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) by increasing the brain’s take up of serotonin and dopamine which are lacking in a depressed person.

There are several studies that have shown that extract of St John’s Wort increases the uptake of serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine in the cells of the brain. It is effective in treating mild to moderate depression and SAD symptoms.

Passion Flower is a herbal remedy from the native American Passiflora incarnata L. plant. It works on physical and mental symptoms of stress, relaxes muscles and anxiety and is a safe natural tranquilliser that is non-addictive.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Half a million people in the UK are diagnosed as suffering from SAD which strikes in winter, usually when the clocks go back in late October until the evenings become lighter at the beginning of April. Lack of natural light is the main reason for SAD as it can cause a biochemical imbalance in the brain, due to a deficiency in serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals the brain needs to control mood, appetite, sleep and sexuality. Daylight triggers the hypothalamus gland in the brain to produce serotonin, so consequently the levels drop when there's less daylight. Symptoms are similar to those of depression as well as craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods. One of the most common treatments for SAD is light therapy which involves sitting close to a full spectrum lamp for about an hour a day. Trials have shown that St John’s Wort improves the symptoms of SAD with or without light therapy.

How Do I Take St Johns Wort with Passion Flower?

Take one tablet twice a day with a glass of water, cutting down to a maintenance dose of one a day when symptoms improve. People with a sensitive stomach are advised to take the tablet(s) with meals.

NOTE: St John’s Wort with Passion Flower should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Anyone on prescription drugs should also check with their doctor before taking St John’s Wort with Passion Flower as it has some contraindications with certain drugs.

Where Can I Buy It?

St John’s Wort with Passion Flower costs around £10.00 for a month’s supply from leading independent health shops and chemists.

Call 0870 366 5729 for your nearest stockist or see www.revital.com.

Note to editors:

Clinical studies and further detailed information to support this release are available.

For further info, samples or images please contact:

Katherine Selby, PR Workshop, 0208 657 4422 Katherine@prworkshop.co.uk