Effects Of St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is an herb used popularly in over-the-counter supplements to alleviate the symptoms of depression. The National Institute of Health's Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that medicinal uses of this herb were first recorded in ancient Greece. St. John's Wort is named for John the Baptist because the plant blooms around the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist in late June.

Anti-Depressant

St. John's Wort has been used for centuries to treat depression. The Mayo Clinic reports scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in mild-to-moderate major depression. The Mayo Clinic also notes that St. John's Wort has been shown to be more effective in treating depressive symptoms than placebo and actually is as effective as tricyclic antidepressants. Caution should be used by individuals considering taking this supplement as it has been shown to cause interactions with certain prescription drugs, other herbs or supplements.

Nerve Pain

The Mayo Clinic reports that this herb can help nerve pain. Herbs2000's website notes that St. John's Wort can be used for neuralgia, which is a type of acute, spasmodic pain along the nerves, and can help reduce back and other types of pain caused by malfunctioning nerves. Herbs2000's website also indicates that the herb is a good remedy for the nervous system, easing tension and anxiety. It is useful for women who experience painful, heavy and irregular periods because it contains hypericin, a compound believed to reduce blood pressure.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disorder that is a form of eczema. A study published by Christoph M. Schempp and colleagues in the Department of Dermatology of the Freiburg University Clinic in Freiburg, Germany has shown that mild to moderate cases of atopic dermatitis may be helped by the application of topical creams containing St. John's Wort.