St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a plant with yellow flowers, and its historical roots can be traced back to ancient Greece. This plant usually blooms around late June, close to the festival of John the Baptist, from which it gets its name.
Throughout history, St. John's Wort has been a commonly used remedy for various health problems, including kidney and lung diseases, as well as sleep disorders. Today, many people use it as a natural medicine for treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Additionally, applying St. John's Wort topically (directly on the skin) is believed to be beneficial for treating various skin problems like wounds, bruises, and muscle soreness.
St. John's Wort is often used to relieve depression symptoms. Several large - scale reviews, analyzing more than 20 studies, have found that St. John's Wort can be as effective as, or even more effective than, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs commonly used to treat depression. One of these reviews indicated that its effects were similar to those of tricyclic antidepressants. The review also suggested that St. John's Wort might help reduce depressive symptoms after menopause.
St. John's Wort may also have positive effects on the following conditions:
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): This condition typically occurs 1 - 2 weeks before menstruation and is characterized by physical and emotional symptoms.
Psoriasis: It is an autoimmune skin disease that causes skin inflammation.
Somatic Symptom Disorder: Patients with this disorder overly focus on physical symptoms, leading to severe anxiety.
Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder (OCD): This is a mental health problem that causes uncontrollable, intrusive, and persistent thoughts (obsessions), which in turn lead to repetitive activities and behaviors (compulsions).
Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This disorder is characterized by inattention (difficulty concentrating), hyperactivity (feeling restless), and impulsivity (making decisions without thinking).
Seasonal Affective Disorder: It is a type of depression that occurs due to seasonal changes.
Furthermore, St. John's Wort may play a role in improving memory, promoting wound healing, and assisting with smoking cessation. However, most of these potential benefits are not well - established, and more research is needed to confirm the possible connections.
St. John's Wort is made from ground flowers and dried leaves. It is most commonly taken in capsule form as a natural supplement. Besides that, there are the following ways of use:
Tea: Usually, the dried herb is steeped in hot water for a few minutes before drinking.
Tincture: Tinctures are liquid extracts. They can be taken directly or added to water or juice.
Skin Cream: St. John's Wort is sometimes used to make topical creams (applied to the skin) to reduce inflammation or promote wound healing. However, these creams increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so it is recommended to use them at night.
Oil: St. John's Wort oil can be infused in a carrier oil such as olive oil. It can be applied topically to help treat contusions (bruises), inflammation, and mild burns.
Before trying St. John's Wort or any other herbal supplement, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to ensure its safe use. The strength and dosage of different products can vary significantly and may not always match the information on the label.
Generally, adults can take one 300 - milligram (mg) capsule containing 0.3% hypericin (an active chemical in St. John's Wort) three times a day. Usually, 1 - 3 capsules are taken with meals daily, or as recommended by a healthcare professional. Store this herbal supplement in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Many people take St. John's Wort as a natural medicine. Research shows that taking St. John's Wort for up to 12 weeks appears to be safe. However, there are several key safety considerations.
For example, it may not be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women and may cause symptoms such as restlessness and drowsiness in breastfed infants. In addition, there are many potentially dangerous drug interactions.
St. John's Wort can affect the action of drugs. This may reduce the effectiveness of the drugs and can even be life - threatening.
A concerning side - effect is the dangerous increase in serotonin, a substance in the body that helps nerve cells communicate with each other. This side - effect is more likely to occur when St. John's Wort is combined with certain antidepressants or other mood - enhancing drugs. It can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome (SS) - when serotonin levels are too high, it can be life - threatening.
The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include high blood pressure, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), and dilated pupils. Severe cases can cause a fever of up to 106°F. Treatment may involve using specific drugs to counteract the effects of serotonin and help calm the body.
Other drugs that St. John's Wort may affect include:
Birth control pills
Drugs that help prevent organ transplant rejection
Certain heart drugs, including digoxin (brand names include Digitek and Lanoxin)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs, such as Crixivan (indinavir) and Viramune (nevirapine)
Some cancer drugs, including Campto (irinotecan) and Glivec (imatinib)
Blood thinners, such as warfarin
Specific cholesterol - lowering drugs, including statins
In the United States, St. John's Wort is often sold as an herb or supplement. You can find it in various places, including:
Health food stores: Many local health and natural food stores sell St. John's Wort, usually in the supplement section. You can also find it in some large chain stores.
Vitamin and supplement stores: Stores like GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe typically carry St. John's Wort supplements.
Pharmacies: Some mainstream pharmacies stock St. John's Wort in the dietary supplement section.
Online retailers: Online retailers usually offer a range of St. John's Wort products, including capsules, tea, and tinctures.
Herbalists or natural medicine stores: Local herbalists or natural medicine stores may sell various forms of St. John's Wort, including dried herbs and tinctures.
It should be noted that supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so make sure any product you choose has been tested by a third - party.
Side effects other than drug interactions are generally not common and are mild. They include:
Dry mouth
Headache
Stomach upset
Confusion
Photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight)
However, St. John's Wort may also cause more severe side effects, including:
Worsening of symptoms of conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
Feeling overly excited
Diarrhea
Seeing or hearing things that are not there
There is not enough evidence to determine whether topical use of St. John's Wort is safe. For example, if exposed to sunlight after application, it may cause severe skin reactions. Some people who use St. John's Wort regularly report being more prone to sunburn.
St. John's Wort is a plant with yellow flowers. Supplements such as tea, tinctures, and oils are made from the crushed flowers and dried leaves of this plant.
St. John's Wort may help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and premenstrual syndrome, among others. However, more research is needed to determine its possible benefits.
Always consult a healthcare provider before using natural or alternative therapies. The side effects of St. John's Wort are usually mild, but this herb can affect the action of drugs and should not be used with certain medications, as complications can be severe and even life - threatening.
