what are the benefits of st john's wort

Full Answer

Hormonal Balance

St. John's wort has several traditional uses. Greek and Roman medical sources report the use of St. John's wort as a topical treatment for healing wounds and for treating kidney stones, sciatica, menstrual problems and snakebites. During the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was prescribed for diarrhea, fever, gout and rabies.

Menopausal Mood Swings

The impressive health benefits of St. John’s wort include its ability to treat depression, improve mood swings, relieve anxiety, reduce the severity of pre-menstrual symptoms, ease addictive tendencies, regulate hormonal activity, prevent cancer, protect against viral infections, reduce inflammation, and soothe the nervous system.

Pregnancy Pains

St. John's wort has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating somatization disorder (physical illness or symptoms without a known cause), or hot flashes caused by menopause. Topical forms of St. John's wort have been possibly effective in healing skin wounds, or treating skin irritation caused by psoriasis.

Cures Depression

Those 2 active ingredients of St. John’s Wort can help in improving sleep disorders, specifically insomnia. Not only insomnia, but St. John’s Wort can also help in improving depression symptoms. For most people who tried using St. John’s Wort for their sleep disorders, they said that it really did some improvements to their sleep cycles.

Antiviral Agent

What are the traditional uses of St. John's Wort?

What is St John Wort Good for?

What exactly does St. John's Wort do?

Is St. John,'s wort a good sleep aid?

What does St John's wort do to the body?

Historically, St. John's wort has been used for a variety of conditions, including kidney and lung ailments, insomnia, and depression, and to aid wound healing.

How long does it take for St John's Wort to start working?

It may take 3 to 6 weeks to feel any effects from St. John's wort. DO NOT stop taking St.

Can I take St John's wort everyday?

When taken by mouth: St. John's wort is likely safe when used in doses up to 900 mg daily for up to 12 weeks. It can cause some side effects such as diarrhea, dizziness, trouble sleeping, restlessness, and skin tingling.

When should I take St John's wort morning or night?

It can cause some side effects such as trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, stomach upset, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, skin rash, diarrhea, and tingling. Take St. John's wort in the morning or lower the dose if it seems to be causing sleep problems.

Does St John's wort make you gain weight?

John's wort is well established as a remedy for mild to moderate depression. Since depression can lead to weight gain, and since medications with actions similar to that of St. John's wort have been used for weight loss, some people have proposed that St. John's wort can be useful for weight loss.

What supplements should not be taken with St John's wort?

John's wort with antidepressants may lead to too-high levels of serotonin in your body, which can result in serious side effects including muscle rigidity and seizures. St. John's wort may also make other medicines less effective, such as birth control pills, some HIV drugs, and blood thinners like Warfarin.

Does St John's Wort help sleep?

John's Wort can improve many psychological symptoms associated with depression including sleep disturbance, anxiousness, insomnia, apathy, and feelings of worthlessness. Researchers believe the active ingredients hypericin and hyperforin may be responsible for these benefits.

Can you stop St John's wort suddenly?

Some people report symptoms like sickness, dizziness and anxiety after they stop taking it abruptly. To be safe, it's generally recommended to slowly reduce your dosage before discontinuing your use of St. John's wort.

Does St John's wort make you sleepy?

Other side effects of St. John's wort are usually minor and uncommon. They may include upset stomach, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, sexual dysfunction, or sensitivity to sunlight.

Does St John's Wort calm you down?

John's wort is likely to help those who suffer from mild-to-moderate depression symptoms. Some people with those symptoms may also have anxiety. It's possible that St. John's wort could reduce anxiety when a person takes it, but researchers haven't proven this to be true.

Is St John's wort for anxiety?

St. John's wort has also been studied in the treatment of other mood disorders, such as severe depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD.) It's also been used for insomnia, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and eczema.

Can you drink alcohol with St John's wort?

You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with St. John's wort. Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of St. John's wort such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.

Why is St John's wort called St John's wort?

A wild yellow flower regarded as a weed throughout most of the United States, St. John's wort has been used for medical purposes in other parts of the world for thousands of years. Named for St. John the Baptist (because it blooms around the day of his feast), St. John's wort is continually being studied to try to demonstrate its alleged benefits.

How long does St John'swort last?

Depending on the preparation, St. John’s wort can be taken in any of the following ways: 300 mg three times a day for up to six weeks; 250 mg twice a day for six weeks; 300 to 600 mg three times a day for six weeks;

Does St John's wort affect blood thinners?

St. John’s wort can weaken how well other drugs work, including antidepressants, birth control pills, cyclosporine (an anti-rejection drug), digoxin (a heart drug), HIV drugs, cancer medications, and blood thinners such as Coumadin. Taking St. John’s wort with antidepressants can cause a dangerous increase in levels of serotonin, ...

Does St John's Wort help with depression?

St John's Wort. Many clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort in treating depression. If you surf the web or read your local newspaper, you've probably seen something about herbal supplements, such as St. John’s wort, and their role in treating depression.

Is St John'swort a good antidepressant?

According to several of these studies, St. John’s wort may be more effective than a placebo (sugar pill), and as effective as prescription antidepressants, in treating mild depression. Two studies in the United States found that St. John’s wort was no better than a placebo for treating moderate to severe depression.

Can you take St John's wort with antidepressants?

Taking St. John’s wort with antidepressants can cause a dangerous increase in levels of serotonin, a hormone that affect s mood. This condition is known as serotonin syndrome. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking St. John's wort or any other herbal product. St.

Treats depression

Perhaps its most common use, St. John’s wort is used as a natural antidepressant. Several studies have shown the plant to be as effective as certain prescription medications in treating mild to moderate depression. However, more research is still needed to support the use of St. John’s wort in treating severe depression.

Eases symptoms of menopause

Many women experience undesirable symptoms in the transition to menopause, but St. John’s wort may be able to help. Taking St. John’s wort by mouth, whether alone or in combination with black cohosh, has been found to help reduce symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes.

Reduces anxiety

Chemicals in St. John’s wort, like hypericin and hyperforin, can provide sedative effects that work to lessen anxiety and reduce irritability. In particular, studies suggest that St.

Helps with migraines

While St. John’s wort alone has not been shown to reduce the frequency of migraines, early research has shown encouraging results in reducing migraine pain when taken three times daily. Other research has shown that when St.

Speeds wound healing

When applied topically, St. John’s wort can help speed healing of wounds and burns , thanks to the plant’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to stimulate collagen production. For example, research has shown that burns treated with St.

Provides anti-cancer effects

The flavonoids, hypericin, and hyperforin found in St. John’s wort provide the plant with its anti-cancer effects. In studies, hyperforin has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and cause tumor cell death. Likewise, in both in vitro and in vivo studies, St.

Offers antiviral properties

St. John’s wort has antiviral properties have led scientists to investigate the plant’s ability to help fight back against a variety of viruses including influenza and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. Studies have shown that the hypericin content in St.

What Are The Side Effects Of St. John's Wort?

This herb seems to be safe if taken by mouth for 12 weeks. Some evidence shows that it might be used safely for more than one year. It may cause some adverse effects such as vivid dreams, trouble sleeping, restlessness, irritability, dry mouth, stomach upset, dizziness, skin rash, headache, tingling, and diarrhea.

Where And How To Buy St. John's Wort?

You can find St. John's Wort in the form of tablets, dried flowers, capsules, tea bags, tinctures, and extracts at many herbal food stores. When buying its extract, choose one that is actually extracted from St. John’s wort flowers and contains at least 0.3% of hypericin.

What is St John's wort?

St. John’s wort, also known as hypericum perforatum, is a flowering plant of the genus Hypericum and has been used as a medicinal herb for its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties for over 2,000 years.

How long can you take St John's wort?

Extensive research supports that St. John’s wort uses are safe when taken by mouth for up to three months, and some evidence suggests it can be used safely for over one year. St. John’s wort side effects include trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, stomach upset, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, skin rash, diarrhea and tingling.

How much St John's wort should I take for PMS?

For PMS, take 300–900 milligrams of St. John’s wort by mouth daily for two menstrual cycles. For irritable bowel syndrome, take 450 milligrams twice daily for 12 weeks. For nerve pain, take three 300–900 microgram hypericin tablets by mouth for two treatment periods of five weeks each.

How long does St John's wort ointment last?

For psoriasis, use St. John’s wort ointment two times daily on the skin for four weeks. For wound healing, use 20 percent St. John’s wort in petroleum jelly on affected skin three times daily for 16 days. For menopausal symptoms, take 300 milligrams once daily for 12 weeks.

How long does it take to take 450 milligrams of St John'swort?

For obsessive-compulsive disorder, take 450–900 milligrams by mouth daily for 12 weeks. If you are taking a dosage above 300 milligrams, three times daily, consult your healthcare professional first. Also, it is best to reduce your dose slowly over time, instead of stopping St. John’s wort suddenly.

What are the two compounds in St John'swort?

St. John’s wort produces dozens of biologically active substances, but two compounds found in the plant, hypericin and hyperforin, have the greatest medical activity. Other compounds, including the flavonoids rutin, quercetin and kaempferol, also appear to have medical activity.

Why is the plant wort called "wort"?

And the name was given to the plant because it blooms around June 24, the birthday of John the Baptist, and the word “wort” is an old English word for plant.

What is St John's Wort?

John’s Wort is named after St. John the Baptist, the herb contains a rare combination of antidepressant chemicals that can benefit and help improve mood, regulate hormone activity, and alleviate anxiety. If you're struggling with finding your happiness, and have more more bad days than good, then the yellow flowered cluster of joy could be exactly what you’re looking for to improve your mood.

Is St John's Wort good for depression?

As one of the most extensively studied medicinal plants, research indicates that St. John’s Wort can benefit and is effective as an anti-depressant. The exact mechanism of action, works by changing neurotransmitter concentration mainly serotonin, in areas of the brain, that fight depression. Studies have indicated that St. John’s Wort is a valuable remedy for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, and can help enhance mood. Depression affects 3-5% of the world’s population and as opposed to prescribed antidepressants, St. John’s Wort is a natural remedy, which is competing for status, as a standard antidepressant therapy [ R ].

Is St John's Wort antibacterial?

St. John’s Wort is also known to have great antibacterial properties. Used in traditional medicine as a topical wound and ulcer salve, studies have shown that Oleum Hyperici an oil macerate of the flowering aerial portions of the plant reduces both wound size and healing time. Of its active constituents, the naphthodianthrone hypericin and phloroglucinol hyperforin are effective antibacterial compounds against various bacteria [ R ].

Why is St John'swort used in Greek medicine?

The traditional Greek use was to hang the plant over religious paintings and statues to ward off “evil spirits.” Greek herbalists saw other uses for the plant and created tinctures to help with cuts, burns, harmful organisms, and even snakebites. [ 2]

Does St John'swort help with depression?

St. John’s wort has shown promise in relieving symptoms of depression. Depression can present itself in many different ways and is often described as a persistent feeling of extreme unhappiness. Left unchecked, it can affect sleep, appetite, energy, cognitive function, and even the immune system. Persistent or major depression is typically due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Can you make St John'swort tea with powder?

You can find St. John’s wort in a variety of forms, including pills, powders, and liquids. While carefully measured extracts assure potency, you can also make tea with the fresh flowers from the plant. St. John’s wort tea is easy to make; simply steep a handful of flowers in hot water for four minutes and strain.

Does St John's wort affect birth control?

St. John’s wort can interact with prescription medications; it can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, heart medication, and even some HIV and cancer drugs. [ 5] Side effects are rare but do occur. These include dry mouth, upset stomach, increased sensitivity to light, and increased feelings of anxiety. Like any supplement, use by pregnant or nursing women and children is not recommended without clear instruction from your personal, trusted healthcare advisor.

Overview

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering shrub native to Europe. It gets its name from the fact that it often blooms on the birthday of the biblical John the Baptist.

Our take

St. John's wort can be effective for treating mild to moderate depression. However, the supplement interacts with many medications and can cause serious side effects. Consult with your doctor before taking St. John's wort if you take any other medications.

Safety and side effects

When taken orally for up to 12 weeks in appropriate doses, St. John's wort is generally considered safe. However, it may cause:

Interactions

The list below includes some recognized interactions. However, other drugs may also interact with St. John's wort. Check with your doctor before using St. John's wort in combination with any other drugs, especially prescription medications.

Significance

• St. Johns wort has become extremely popular in recent decades as a potential cure-all herbal remedy for many health issues. Unlike other herbal treatments, many of its health benefits have been verified by the scientific community and its herbal supplements are commonly prescribed …

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