Question: St. John's Wort and Photosensitivity
Is it true that I should avoid the sun if I am taking St. John's Wort?
Answer: Photosensitivity is a rare reaction which occurs when humans take very high doses over an extended period of time. Those who are light skinned are more prone, but dark skinned Peurto Rican AIDS patients (Section 2.1.4, from Jonathan Treasure) have also been reported as becoming photosensitive after being kept on high doses. To give you an idea what constitutes a high dose (Section 2.1.4, from Michael Moore), a fair skinned man who had this reaction was taking up to an ounce of tincture a day when he became photosensitive. Stick within the range of the recommended dose and you should be fine, however. I am fair skinned and freckled and have had absolutely no problems.
