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Benefits of St Johns Wort



Benefits of St Johns Wort Product Information

The use of Saint John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) for depression and mental illness goes back centuries. Over the years, St. John's Wort has also been used in the treatment of malaria, wounds and burns. In some cultures, it has been used for the relief of headache, stomachache and menstrual cramps.

Today, the herb is used extensively in Europe for the treatment of mild depression, simple anxiety and insomnia. Doctors in many European countries prescribe St. John's Wort for their patients instead of pharmaceuticals.

St. John's Wort is a bushy type shrub with yellow flowers. The healing effect of St. John's Wort comes from the flowers and leaves. While science has yet to discover how the compounds in St. John's Wort actually work, the current theories are:
  1. The chemical compounds in St. John's Wort, hypericin and hyperforin, prevent brain nerve cells from reabsorbing the chemical serotonin or,
  2. They reduce the protein levels in the immune system. Which ever the actual process is, St. John's Wort has been proven to work well in treating mild to moderate depression.
Numerous studies in Europe, particularly in Germany, have supported the claims for the use in treating mild and moderate depression. St. John's Wort does have its naysayers; a study by a major United States pharmaceutical company found it as ineffective as a placebo for treating major depression symptoms.

St. John's Wort, because it is a natural supplement, rose to fame in the United States in the late 1980's and 1990's. Many people chose the herb over taking prescription drugs. Reasons for this change ranged from the belief that natural was safer having less undesirable side effects and cost.

St. John's Wort is available in several forms including capsules, teas, and extracts. Capsules are the most popular form, with tea running a close second. Extracts, where the compounds have been distilled into concentrated form, is generally more expensive. Yet, the extract being more potent requires smaller dosages for effectiveness.

St. John's Wort is still one of the most popular herbal products on the market in the United States today, due in part to being a non-prescription supplement available in most stores and supermarkets.

St. John's Wort, like all herbs, can and does have side effects if taken in large doses. Studies have shown that St. John's Wort does interact with some prescription medicines negatively. Side effects can include dry mouth, fatigue and nausea among others.

Those who are taking anti-cancer drugs, transplant anti-rejection drugs and some types of HIV drugs should not take St. John's Wort as it may lessen the effectiveness of those prescriptions.

For most healthy people, St. John's Wort is a safe alternative for the treatment of mild depression and anxiety. Should symptoms become worse, a visit with a licensed physician is recommended.