St. John’s wort herb benefits uses sideeffects

Some of the benefits of using St.John’s wort herb include natural alternative to anti-depressant as it helps with depression, helps in decreasing the frequency of hot flashes, improve menopausal symptoms and promote wound healing.

St. John’s wort herb also known as Hypericum perforatum, Amber Touch-and-heal, Goatweed, Hypericum, Johnswort, Klamath Weed, Rosin Rose, St. John’s Grass and Tipton Weed. 

How to use St.John’s wort herb?

It’s flower and leaves are mainly used for health benefits. It is available in capsule, extract, loose herb powder, teabags and essential oil for cosmetic therapeutic purposes.

Dosage

For Adult

• Dry herb (in capsules or tablets): The usual dose for mild depression and mood disorders is 300 mg (standardized to 0.3% hypericin extract), 3 times per day, with meals. St. John’s wort is available in time-release capsules.
• St. John’s Wort is also available as a liquid extract or a tea. Ask your doctor to help you find the right dose.

It may take 3 – 4 weeks to feel any effects from St. John’s wort.

Don’t stop taking St. John’s wort all at once, because that may cause unpleasant side effects. Gradually lower the dose before stopping.

Effective uses of using ST.john’s wort herb

St.John’s herb for depression

Studies has shown it’s effective use for treating mild to moderate depression and can be a natural substitute to anti-depressant pill. For major depression studies has shown promising results but require more long term studies.

St.John’s herb relives Menopause symptoms

Studies has shown improvement in menopause symptoms within 12 weeks of using this herbal remedy. In another study , St. John’s wort herb reduces the frequency of hot flashes, fewer sleep problem and improve overall quality of life in perimenopausal women.

Skin redness and irritation ( plaque psoriasis )

Clinical studies  suggests tropical application of  Hypericum perforatum ointment can possibly effective natural treatment for psoriasis.

St.John’s herb improves somatoform disorders

Clinical studies suggest taking 600 mg of St.John’s wort extract daily is effective and safe in the treatment of somatoform disorders.

Promote wound healing

Studies suggest that Tropical application of St.John’s wort herb speed up wound repair by closing damaged area.

Other uses of St.John’s wort herb which has been proven ineffective are:

• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
• HIV/AIDS
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Pain conditions related to diabetes (polyneuropathy)
• Social phobia

There are some other uses of St.John’s wort herb which has insufficient evidence to rate their effectiveness.

• Anxiety disorder
• Brain tumor (giloma)
• Genital herpes or cold sores
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD
• Smoking cessation
• Stomach upset.
• Bruises.
• Skin conditions.
• Migraine headache.
• Nerve pain.
• Sciatica.
• Excitability.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Muscle pain.
• Cancer.
• Weight loss.

Warning and precaution:

• Avoid use of St.John’s wort in any form during Pregnancy and breast-feeding as it is potentially unsafe.
• Avoid using St. John’s wort herb if  you are planning to conceive baby or have known fertility problems as it can cause infertility.
• People with Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease should avoid use of St’s John wort herb.
• Stop using St.John’s wort herb atleast 2 weeks before any surgery or using Anesthesia.

Drug interaction with St. John’s wart herb

Major interaction with following medications, avoid it at all cost.

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Fenfluramine (Pondimin)
• Imatinib (Gleevec)
• Irinotecan (Camptosar)
• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
• Medications for HIV/AIDS (Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs))
• Medications for HIV/AIDS (Protease Inhibitors)
• Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-Glycoprotein Substrates)
• Mephenytoin (Mesantoin)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
• Phenobarbital (Luminal)
• Phenprocoumon
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

Moderate interaction, but be cautious with following combination

• Aminolevulinic acid
• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others)
• Fexofenadine (Allegra)
• Gliclazide (Diamicron, Dacadis, Nazdol, Zicron
• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
• Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs)
• Medications for depression (MAOIs)
• Medications for migraine headaches (“Triptans”)
• Medications for pain (Narcotic drugs)
• Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Methadone (Dolophine)
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Pentazocine (Talwin)
• Procainamide
• Reserpine
• Sedative medications (Barbiturates)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Tramadol (Ultram)
• Zolpidem

Minor interaction with following medication.

• Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Ritalin)
• Theophylline

Interaction with other herbs or supplements

Avoid using St.John’s wort herb with herbs and supplements that contain cardiac glycosides, serotonergic properties, Iron, Red yeast and Tryptophan.

It is always necessary to inform and consult health physician before trying any alternative medicine.