What is St. John’s Wort?

Research has carefully demonstrated that St. John’s Wort is a herbal remedy that is used to treat mental conditions like depression. According to experts, St. John’s Wort is a natural supplement that may not require any prescription at all. However, due to its interaction with other drugs, most countries either ban it or give it out only on prescription. Asides from depression, relieving menopausal symptoms is another effect that St. John’s Wort has on health. This herb is available in many pharmacies and stores, especially in the form of supplements.

Studies have also shown that St. John’s Wort is effective for treating heart palpitations, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seasonal affective disorder, social phobia. In other words, it can help improve symptoms of mental and psychological conditions. However, using St. John’s Wort for psychological conditions while you are already on medication for your condition requires caution as St. John’s Wort could interact with your medications and cause more harm than good to your mental health.

In addition, this herbal ready had been discovered to be a perfect choice for quitting smoking. It also helps improve fibromyalgia, migraine, chronic fatigue, burning in the mouth, irritable bowel, nerve damage, clogged arteries, herpes, HIV, and cancer, including brain cancer.

The oil extracted from St. John’s Wort can be administered orally for indigestion. Also, it can be applied to the skin to improve skin conditions that may cause the skin to lose its color. It can also assist in hastening up the healing of wounds. However, dermatologists have advised that it may be risky to apply  St. John’s Wort oil directly to the skin, as it could increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Safe Dosages for St. John’s Wort

This is a herbal remedy that should be taken with uttermost caution. Taking too much of it can be dangerous. Also, taking it while you are on certain medications can be risky for your health. This is why it should be consumed under the strict supervision of a herbalist or a medical expert. Since it now comes in the form of supplements, some dosages have been suggested to be safe enough for use.

This dosage, on the one hand, will be enough to improve your condition and, on the other hand, will strike out your chances of experiencing its side effects. Nonetheless, if you are on any prescription, you should carry your doctor along if you want to take the herb or its supplements to prevent interactions. Below is the appropriate dosage of St. John’s Wort for several health conditions;

• 300 mg 3 times a day for 6 weeks
• 250 mg 3 times a day for 6 weeks
• 350 mg 3 a day for 8 weeks
• 600 mg 3 times a day for 24 weeks
• 400 mg 2 times a day for 6 weeks

Each of these dosages is safe enough for you. In other words, St. John’s Wort can be consumed in any of the above dosages. It is important to cite that these dosages are for adults alone. Research is still ongoing as to which dosage is safe enough for children.

While using St. John’s Wort herb or supplements, it is best to look out for the following and stop taking it immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. The following you should look out for are;

• Increased sensitivity to the, especially if you are fair in complexion
• High blood pressure

Health Benefits of St. John’s Wort

Depression

St. John’s Wort is known to be effective in the improvement of both mild and major depression, as well as other depressive disorders. A 12-week study showed that consuming St. John’s Wort herb for depression is as effective as tricyclic antidepressant. In addition, this study showed that St. John’s Wort can treat depression with fewer side effects compared to tricyclic antidepressants. This effect of St. John’s Wort has been proven only in adults. Research is still unremitting as to whether it can have the same effects in children.

Reduces Mood Swings

Mood swing, especially in women, is a symptom of the premenstrual or premenopausal syndrome. This is why St. John’s Wort is usually highly recommended for women whenever they begin to experience premenstrual or premenopausal symptoms. St. John’s Wort is packed with chemical components that have been discovered to be effective in the improvement of anxiety and mood swings.

It is a healthy run-to herb or supplement that can take your premenstrual and premenopausal symptoms away with fewer side effects. However, if you are already in drugs that can help improve these symptoms, it is best to avoid St. John’s Wort to prevent it from interacting with those drugs.

Improves Skin Conditions like Atopic Dermatitis

Although applying St. John’s Wort oil directly to the skin can cause skin reactions, this may not occur in everybody. If you desire to use St. John’s Wort for your skin condition, try accomplishing a patch test on your skin preferably, to make sure that your skin does not react to it. Several health conditions like atopic dermatitis, according to research, may improve or respond positively to a St. John’s Wort herbal remedy.

In addition, if you find your skin too sensitive to the oil while treating atopic dermatitis, you can consume the herb orally but in healthy dosages. In other words, for treating atopic dermatitis, you can either rub the oil on the affected area of the skin or consume the herb. Either way, there will be improvements in the condition of your skin.

Regulates Hormones

Hormonal imbalance is actually one of the causes of major health conditions ranging from polycystic ovarian syndrome to hypo and hyperthyroidism. Studies have shown that St. John’s Wort is effective in the regulation and balancing of hormones, thus preventing these hormonal health conditions.

One of the hormonal conditions that St. John’s Wort is popularly known to treat is hypothyroidism, one of the most common thyroid conditions. St. John’s Wort has ascertained to be effective in not only preventing it but also treating it by regulating the hormone and causing the thyroid gland to release sufficient and normal amounts of hormones for the body’s use.

May Help Enhance Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Although more research is needed to validate this claim. However, some people who consumed St. John’s Wort herbs experienced an improvement in their condition after about 6 weeks of consumption. This is because St. John’s Wort herb is packed with properties that have been discovered to be present in most attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD medications.

Regardless, on the other hand, some individuals with the same condition showed no improvements after consuming St. John’s Wort herb. This is why more research is needed to better understand whether or not it can improve this condition.

It Has Antiviral Agents

St. John’s Wort herbs and supplements are packed with antiviral properties that can prevent viral infections from gaining access into the body. Studies have shown that it may help reduce the risk of viral infections like hepatitis, HIV, and other severe viral health conditions. However, the only downside of its antiviral benefits is high doses of St. John’s Wort have to be taken to eliminate viral infections from the body.

This means the high dosage will keep viruses away from you quite alright but will plunge you into a series of side effects associated with the high dosage of St. John’s Wort herbs and supplements. Although the side effects are mild and can be managed. The only side effect that may threaten your life is its interaction side effect. In other words,  it could be dangerous for you if it interacts with any medication that you are on. This is why you should not take St. John’s Wort herbs or supplements when you are on any medication or drugs.

Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the body’s response to stress, infections, and illnesses. The active agents in St. John’s Wort herb are anti-inflammatory. This makes it effective in the management of joint discomfort, arthritis, gout, and other joint, muscle, and ligament discomfort. In addition, consuming St. John’s Wort herbs or supplements can help eliminate inflammation in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Coupled with all of these, St. John’s Wort herb and supplements are antioxidant-rich. These antioxidants protect the cells in the body and prevent the death of those cells.

Conclusion

St John’s Wort is a healthy herb that is widely known for the prevention, treatment, and management of several health conditions. Dosage matters, as too much of it, can be dangerous for your health. Also, as much as possible, avoid St. John’s Wort if you are on any medication.