Heres good news for those of you with bladder problems. Urologists for years have treated bladder conditions with antidepressants. The same nerve chemicals that control mood in your brain also help control your bladders contractions. These include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Antidepressants, known to alter the chemicals in your brain, could also impact their levels in your bladder. And, therefore, so could St. Johns wort.
St. Johns wort is an herb with a lot of research behind it that shows it can improve mild to moderate depression.
Scientists injected a St. Johns wort extract into the abdomens of female rats with inflamed bladders. They found increased bladder contractions compared to placebo injections. That suggests improved bladder function.
Interstitial cystitis affects 700,000 Americans. Its tough to treat by conventional methods. Its likely an infection in the bladder that cant be detected by conventional means. However, symptomatic relief is important. St. Johns wort (300-500 mg, 3 times a day) may be your ticket to relief if you have this painful condition. Please let me know if it works for you.
Ref: American Urological Associations annual meeting, May 23, 2006.