What is St. John’s Wort: Effects, Benefits, Dosages

St. John’s Wort is an herb with notable anti-depressant and mood lifting properties.

This plant is known by its scientific name Hypericum perforatum and is also referred to as goatweed, rosin rose, Klamath, and Tipton’s weed.

It grows around the world in temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Brazil, China, India, and the Middle East. It is one of the most commonly used herbs in the United States.

A shrubby perennial plant with bright yellow flowers, it was named St. John’s Wort due to the fact that its flowers typically bloom around June 24th, the birthday of St. John the Baptist.

St. John's Wort

Herbal Supplement

Mood

Calm

Sleep

How It Works:

• Clinically studied to reduce feelings of depression
• Natural mood enhancer & calming agent
• Supports healthy sleep patterns

Dosage:

Between 300 - 900 per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe; Interacts with Several Drugs

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St. John’s Wort Effects:

This herbal supplement has been used for many years as a traditional folk remedy for mood disorders and wound healing. It was even once thought to help rid the body of evil spirits.

Today, St. John’s Wort is often used as an herbal treatment for depression. In Germany, this supplement is commonly prescribed for mild depression, especially in children and adolescents. St. John’s Wort is reviewed as moderately effective, though there are more powerful mood boosters available in the class of nootropics.

Although the mechanisms of action for St. John’s Wort are still debated and not fully understood, the supplement is known to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.

It is thought to work by inhibiting the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within the brain, thereby increasing Serotonin activity. This neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect on the firing of neurons, resulting in a reduction of symptoms of anxiety.

There are several active ingredients within St. John’s Wort herbal extract supplements. Most experts consider hypercin to be the main agent working within St. John’s Wort. However, hyperforin, which is also present in this supplement, has been shown to have anti-depressive effects as well. Recent research suggests that plant components known as flavonoids and tannins might play a role in the methods of action.

St. John’s Wort Benefits:

The primary benefit of this supplement is as a treatment for mild cases of depressive disorders. This has, incidentally, also been one of the traditional uses for this plant since its discovery.

While there is still some disagreement as to exactly how this works, or which components are more likely responsible for these effects, it seems to somehow inhibit the re-uptake or absorption of certain neurotransmitters within the brain.

It is also interesting to note that an analysis of 29 clinical trials with more than 5,000 patients concluded that extracts of St. John’s Wort had effects similar to standard anti-depressant medications.

There is also some evidence to suggest that this supplement may be effective at reducing anxiety and stress. This is mainly due to the fact that in some of the existing studies patients also reported a lowering of their levels of anxiety.

It is interesting to note that very often the same treatments which are used for depression and anxiety are effective for things like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Such is the case for St. John’s Wort, and there have been promising results from a preliminary study (although these initial results were not confirmed by a later examination).

St. John’s Wort has also been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a number of other conditions. It was even applied to the skin topically. This is reported to help with skin injuries, nerve pain, burns, and even hemorrhoids. There are oils and creams which can be used for this purpose. The supplement is thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects.

St. John’s Wort may be effective in a number of additional medical applications as well. This includes having the potential to help with alcoholism, or at least improve the symptoms. Alternative medicine practitioners have also advocated using this supplement for ear infections (combined with garlic, calendula, and mullein). Some users even report it has helped them to quit smoking, although more study is needed for this possible benefit.

St. John’s Wort Dosage:

When being used in the extract form, the typical dosage range for this supplement is between 900 and 1,800 mg per day.

It is important to determine the purity of any extract you are using. Herbal supplements are always subject to lower quality controls than what can be produced in a lab environment and one must be sure of the standardized active ingredient content in the product you are using.

If you are showing signs of depression, it is important to consult with your doctor before deciding whether to use St. John’s Wort.

St. John’s Wort Side Effects:

According to existing studies, there are a number of side effects which have become associated with St. John’s Wort. Most of these are mild and include stomach upset, allergic skin reactions, tiredness, restlessness, anxiety, sexual and erectile dysfunction, dizziness, dry mouth, and headache.

While this supplement is considered to be very well-tolerated and generally is regarded as safe, there are some very rare serious side effects as well.

It has become associated with a condition known as Serotonin Syndrome, which is characterized by too much Serotonin in the central nervous system and can result in confusion, fever, hallucinations, nausea, loss of muscle coordination, sweating, and shakiness. If any of these serious side effects occur, immediately discontinue use and seek medical attention.

St. John’s Wort Review:

There are copious reports online substantiating the fact that St. John’s Wort can indeed help mild cases of depression in the short-term. As an herbal SSRI, this supplement may even be as effective as certain drugs that operate using similar pathways. The best way to determine whether this supplement will work for you is of course to try it yourself.

However, many users who take this compound say that they feel little to no noticeable effects and it can take a long time for it to become active. Should your results mirror these reports, you may want to look into some of the more powerful mood enhancing nootropics available.

If you do want to use St. John’s Wort, make sure to speak to a doctor about the proper dosages and precautions for taking this herbal supplement.

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