Effect of hypericum perforatum on anxiety

Anxiety is among the most comm on mental disorders. Nowadays, complementary medicines has become a part of every treatment and many of patients, in order to reduce the side effects and cost of treatment are inclined to use it. Hypericum perforatum is traditionally used for the treatment of many physical and psychological diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of hypericum perforatum (hypiran) on the anxiety of students living in Karaj universities dormitories. This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial that was conducted on the students living Karaj universities dormitories. The instruments used for data collection included: a self-administered form and Spilburge’s anxiety questionnaire. Spilburge’s anxiety questionnaire was filled out by students, as a screening test for anxiety. After screening 180 students were randomly divided into two equal groups, control group and experimental group. Each of the subjects in the experimental group was administrated 60 daily drops of hypiran for 2 months. Anxiety was evaluated before and after 2 months in both of the groups. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software, statistical tests paired- t test, and t test for independent groups; and P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Mean score of anxiety decreased in the experimental group after 2 months (P<0.001), but not in the control group (P=0.574). Comparison of the two groups showed a significant statistical difference in the mean score of anxiety after intervention (P<0.001). It seems that hypericum perforatum can be effective in the treatment of anxiety.