Q. I tried taking St. John’s wort some time ago to relieve anxiety. After several months I found I had become sensitive to sunlight. Not only was it difficult to look at things in bright light, but I became very uncomfortable in direct sunshine.
Since I live in southern California, that didn’t work. I eventually gave up on St. John’s wort and learned to avoid caffeine, which a doctor told me is linked to anxiety disorders. Please let your readers know about this side effect.
A. St. John’s wort can sensitize both the skin and the eyes to sunshine. For some, this can show up as a bad sunburn. For others, it may increase the risk of eye damage. Anyone who uses St. John’s wort for depression or anxiety should avoid bright light.
