What Is St. John’s Wort And What Are Its Benefits?

Sometimes it seems like there are an overwhelming amount of herbal and natural remedies on the market these days.

From weight loss, to dealing with stress, to alternative remedies for colds and flu, it can be hard to know what is going to be effective, and what is a waste of money.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, I want to help de-mystify one common remedy you may have heard of – St. John’s wort.

Along with employing lifestyle skills to manage your stress, St. John’s wort can be an effective way to help manage depression.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is St. John’s Wort?

St. John’s wort is a flowering plant that grows across the globe, including in East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and North and South America.

Its flowers are yellow and star-shaped, and plants grow in sunny, well-drained soil, and can grow to between 50 and 100 centimetres tall.

Take a look at this link from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture for more on where it grows and what it looks like.

What Are The Benefits Of St. John’s Wort?

There are a number of uses for St. John’s wort.

The most common use, which most people familiar with know of, is as a natural solution for depression and insomnia

However, these aren’t the only applications for it.

Keep reading to learn about some of the ways St. John’s wort is used by people around the globe.

1. As A Natural Treatment For Depression

As mentioned previously, the most widely known use for St. John’s wort is as a natural remedy for depression.

Extracts of this plant have been shown to be as effective at providing treatment for depression as prescription drugs.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has noted that it may also have fewer side-effects than other anti-depressant drugs.

It should be noted that St. John’s wort is not recommended for those with severe depression, and may take weeks, or even months in some cases before its effect sets in.

2. To Relieve Menopausal Symptoms

For individuals who suffer from symptoms of menopause, a combination of St. John’s wort and black cohosh may provide some relief.

A study in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found the severity and prevalence of hot flashes decreased considerably, compared to the control group.

This study also found St. John’s wort to be effective as a treatment for depression.

3. As A Method To Heal Wounds

St. John’s wort has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy to promote wound healing.

A 2010 study in the The Journal of Ethnopharmacology looked at if there is any truth to this.

This study found St. John’s wort does hold anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.

Are There Risks Associated With St. John’s Wort?

As with any medicine, St. John’s wort is not without its risks.

Next we will review some of the things anyone looking to add this herb to their routine should be aware of.

The side effects of St. John’s wort can include:

• Aggression
• Amnesia
• Panic Attacks
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Vomiting

Additionally, it can have adverse reactions with a number of drugs.

If taken alongside the class of anti-depressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or MAOs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) it can cause hypertension and serotonin syndrome.

Other medications which it is known to interact with include:

• Some heart disease drugs
• Drugs used to for HIV
• Cancer drugs
• Oral birth control
• Anti-seizure medication
• Anticoagulants

Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or sensitive to sunlight should also avoid St. John’s wort.

In general, due to the large number of side effects and interactions associated with it, if you are thinking of taking St. John’s wort it is always best to discuss this with your naturopathic doctor first.

Book An Appointment With Dr. Sheila Dyer

Are you suffering from depression but want to avoid prescription pharmaceuticals?

Or perhaps you’ve reached a certain age and are experiencing hot flashes due to menopause.

If you are looking for natural solutions to these issues, contact me, Dr. Sheila Dyer, today.

I will help you determine the cause of the issues you’re experiencing and will offer natural solutions to help get you feeling like yourself again.

Contact me today to set up an appointment.