St. John's Wort

st. john's wort

learn the basics about St. John's Wort and its potential health benefits.

People today are becoming more savvy and are approaching their family doctors about natural herbal remedies for their depression, and they are doing this instead of being placed on prescription anti-depressants drugs. the most popular herbal remedy for depression is St. John’s Wort.

The biggest benefit of using an herb instead of a prescription anti-depressant is that there is rarely any side effects and if there is they are fewer in number and severity. It contraindicated to take St. John’s Wort in conjunction with any other anti-depressant or certain other prescription drugs, so it is important to make sure you consult your family doctor if you’re taking anything else before you add St. John’s Wort to the mix.

The NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is trying to help consumers get educated about the proper use of St. John’s Wort to treat depression. They believe this herb is best used to treat mild to moderate depression, but is not appropriate for severe depression.

The thing that is not yet clear is exactly how St. John’s Wort works to treat depression. It is believed by some that it might prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin. Serotonin is an important chemical messenger in the human body.  Saint John's wort has been used and studied by many different scientists in treating mental disorders for centuries, but has still remained somewhat of a mystery, even though its effectiveness in alleviating the symptoms of depression such as mood swings, loss of appetite and energy, and sadness has been largely documented.  The main reason people are turning to herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort is because prescription drugs have such a high rate of side effects, such as dry mouth, headaches, sexual dysfunction and insomnia just to name a few. Herbal treatments are a considerably less expensive form of treatment than over priced prescription drugs. There are many different forms in which you can buy St. John’s Wort in, such as capsule form, as a tea, or as an extract. You have to be cautious about the amount you use when taking St. John’s Wort, because high dosages can impair the treatment by actually causing dizziness, upset stomach, and a sensitivity to sunlight.

St. John’s Wort is not the only herb that can be used to treat depression.  Damiana, Ginseng, and Valerian root are all herbs that are used to improve depression symptoms such as insomnia and stress.

Regardless of which herbal remedy you choose to use in your treatment of depression symptoms, it is important to seek the guidance of a qualified doctor who is well versed in herbal remedies this will help to ensure you’retaking the right dosage and type of herb for your personal needs.