Health Benefits of St. John’s wort
St John’s wort is a type of yellow flowering herb. It has been widely applied in homeopathic medicine because of its ability to treat a variety of ailments including depression, infections, viruses, inflammation and age related diseases. In most areas, St John’s wort is considered a dietary supplement and may be bought over the counter at health food stores and holistic shops.
St John’s Wort’s Uses
Most commonly, St John’s wort is used for it’s antidepressant properties. Recent studies have suggested that supplementing an otherwise normal diet with St John’s wort may increase the release of certain neurotransmitters that can combat depression. It also inhibits the release of monoamine oxidase, that has been connected with depression and anxiety when elevated.
Besides being an effective and natural treatment for depression of mild to moderate degree, St. John’s wort is also believed to improve a host of other ailments including hangovers, sleep disorders, kidney problems, PMS, nerve pain and more.
St John’s Wort and Parkinson’s Disease
Recent studies are looking into the relationship between St John’s wort and Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is believed to be caused by an upset in dopamine levels in the body. St John’s wort may help boost the levels of dopamine to prevent symptoms. Some people believe that drinking tea containing St John’s wort can prevent the disease from occurring.
How to Take St John’s Wort
St John’s wort anxiety treatments are available in several forms including in capsules, powders, drops and teas. It is recommended that a person unaccustomed to taking the supplement should begin with a single 300 mg capsule taken three times daily with meals for as long as symptoms persist. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before you begin taking St John’s wort, especially if you are on other antidepressants.
If you prefer to take it as tea, one tablespoon of flowers or one teabag may be added to a cup of boiling water and steeped for 5 minutes. Drain the tea and sweeten with honey as desired. The tea should be drunk 2 to 3 times daily.
St John’s Wort Side Effects
Like with any supplements or medications, there may be some side effects to taking St John’s wort anxiety treatments. The supplement is able to interact with other medications and some side effects such as dry dizziness, restlessness, headache, mouth, upset stomach, as well as confusion are common. Photosensitivity is another potential side effect of the medication. It is advised that you should consult a physician before beginning a St. John’s wort regimen and immediately seek treatment for St John’s wort side effects. Women who are pregnant should not take St John’s wort.
Many people feel the benefits of taking St John’s wort outweigh the potential risks. If you suffer from any of the ailments that are treatable by the herb, consider taking St John’s wort and discovering a safe and natural way to improve your quality of life.
