St. Johns Wort is a common plant found in the meadows of Europe which have been used as an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medicine for centuries. In Germany, St. Johns wort supplements are the first hand treatment for mild to moderate depression. It is also being carefully studied for efficacy in treating other mental disorders and health problems. According to laboratory studies, St. Johns wort contains very important chemicals that react well to people and enhances their mood. Some of the identified beneficial substances in St. Johns wort include hypericin, pseudohypericin, and hyperforin. Also, some studies revealed that other substances in St. Johns wort act by delaying and decreasing the re-absorption of neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The delayed re-absorption of these neurotransmitters has positive effects in the nerve cells.
In people with mild to moderate depression, the daily dosage for St. Johns wort supplement is 500-1000 mg. It is claimed that there is an obvious elation of mood and improvement of other depression symptoms within 2 weeks of regular use. In cases of severe depression, higher dosage and longer use may be advised by the physician to achieve desirable St. Johns wort benefits. However, the benefits of St. Johns wort is not limited to depression, it also offers the body total health promotion and disease prevention.
St. Johns Wort Benefits
- St. Johns wort can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and mood swings during menopause and menstruation.
- For smokers and alcoholics, St. Johns wort may help in relieving the undesirable symptoms of nicotine and alcohol withdrawal.
- St. Johns wort has anti-viral properties which can help the body combat viral infections from simple colds and flu up to the complex hepatitis C and HIV. The active ingredients in St. Johns wort acts by sticking to viral cells and prevent them from binding into host cells.
- The anti-inflammatory ability of St. Johns wort is useful to treat strains, sprains, contusions, muscle spasms, and cramps.
- St. Johns wort oil can be applied to the stomach and breasts of pregnant women to prevent the appearance of stretch marks after giving birth.
- The flavonoids content of St. Johns wort prevents varicose veins as it can improve the integrity of the venous walls.
- St. Johns wort capsules can help improve cases of internal bruising and inflammation.
St. Johns wort Side Effects and Precautions
When taken by mouth and in short term basis, St. Johns wort is totally safe. The common side effects of St. Johns wort includes insomnia, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, skin rash, tingling sensations, restlessness, irritability, and anxiety.
St. Johns wort supplements may interact with other medications and cause other unwanted effects. If you are taking other medications, it is important to discuss the use of St. Johns wort products with your physician. Also, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and bipolar disorder are not advised to take St. Johns wort supplements.
