St. John's wort is most commonly taken to manage depression, however it can also be made into an oil and used for pain .St. John's wort may also treat anxiety, gastrointestinal symptoms, insomnia and many other conditions. Before taking St. John's wort or any other herb, it is best to check with your physician to make sure the herb will not cause side effects such as high blood pressure or interact with any other medications you may be taking.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is an herb with green stalks and small yellow flowers that can be found growing wild in many areas of the world. The flowers and leaves can be ground into a powder and taken in capsule form or products can be made from the reddish colored oil extracted from the flowers. St. John's wort is commonly taken to manage depression and in cases of mild depression, it has been shown to be just as effective as prescription medication in improving mood, decreasing anxiety and managing cases of insomnia that are related to depression, says MedlinePlus. St. Johns wort may also ease menstrual symptoms and it can be applied externally to help heal wounds.
Hypericin and Hyperforin
There are many substances found in St. John's wort that can help to manage symptoms, however the two chemicals that are believed to influence mood are hypericin and hyperforin. While much more research is needed, it may be that these two substances hinder nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing the chemical messenger serotonin and they may reduce the level of a protein involved in the body's immune system functioning, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Both of the above may be responsible for the improvement in mood and ability to sleep that occurs in some people who use St. John's wort.
Safety
Along with hypericin and hyperforin, St. John's wort also contains flavonoids, flavonoid derivatives, xanthone derivatives, amentoflavone, biapigenin and volatile oils that may also provide antidepressant effects. The substances found in St. John's wort can reach peak concentration within two to three hours after oral ingestion and can remain the body for days. While it is not clear if St. John's wort is helpful in all cases of depression, it appears to be generally well tolerated and is not known to cause any serious side effects such as high blood pressure, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians. A general recommendation is to take no more than 900 mg of St. John's wort a day. It is best to split up the dosage into either 450 mg two times daily or 300 mg three times daily.
Side Effects
While St. John's wort is well tolerated by most side effects such as upset stomach, skin reactions, fatigue, sedation, restlessness, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, sensitivity to light, dizziness, headache, and dry mouth can occur according to MayoClinic.com. St John's wort is not recommended for use in children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In rare cases it can cause a worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts. As with all herbs there is always the potential that they can interact with other prescription, over the counter or herbal medications being taken including those used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, so you should only use St. John's wort under medical supervision.
