St. John's Wort is quite possibly the most commonly prescribed herb for the treatment of depression. Since depression is one major component of bipolar disorder, St. John's Wort might be recommended and used for the treatment of depressive episodes which occur in a bipolar disorder individual.
Read more about how St. John's Wort works for depression.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that St. John's wort and other treatments that are meant to raise the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain which result in an elevated mood, might cause a manic episode to occur.
St. John's Wort, though most commonly known as a popular treatment for depression, acts as a "tonic" for regenerating nerve tissue, which can help in the treatment of sciatica and/or other forms of low back pain. Most herbs that are prescribed for the treatment for both these conditions have anti-inflammatory properties, and St. John's Wort can be specifically helpful for people when used in conjunction with some of these herbs (like tumeric turmeric, false soloman's seal and white willow.)
St. John's Wort, though most commonly known as a popular treatment for depression, acts as a "tonic" for regenerating nerve tissue, which can help in the treatment of sciatica and/or other forms of low back pain. Most herbs that are prescribed for the treatment for both these conditions have anti-inflammatory properties, and St. John's Wort can be specifically helpful for people when used in conjunction with some of these herbs (like turmeric, false soloman's seal and white willow.)
on nerve tissue
tumeric
tendons and ligaments being misaligned root of false soloman's seal
St. John's Wort, though most commonly known as a popular treatment for depression, acts as a "tonic" for regenerating nerve tissue, which can help in the treatment of sciatica and/or other forms of low back pain. Most herbs that are prescribed for the treatment for both these conditions have anti-inflammatory properties, and St. John's Wort can be specifically helpful for people when used in conjunction with some of these herbs (like turmeric, false soloman's seal and white willow.)
St. John’s Wort is a flower supplement that is reported to relieve emotional symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, and anxiety. It has also shown to reduce physical symptoms of depression, including headache and exhaustion. It is a popular alternative to pharmaceutical treatments because of its relative safety in comparison.
Find other natural remedies for depression.
St. John’s Wort is a flower supplement that is reported to relieve emotional symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, and anxiety. It has also shown to reduce physical symptoms of depression, including headache and exhaustion. It is a popular alternative to pharmaceutical treatments because of its relative safety in comparison.
Find other natural remedies for depression.
St. John's wort is a common perennial herb of many branches and bright yellow flowers that grows wild in much of the world. Its name derives from the herb's tendency to flower around the feast of St. John. (A wort simply means plant in Old English.) The species name perforatumderives from the watermarking of translucent dots that can be seen when the leaf is held up to the sun.
St. John's wort has a long history of use in treating emotional disorders. During the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was popular for "casting out demons." In the 1800s, the herb was classified as a nervine, or a treatment for "nervous disorders." When pharmaceutical antidepressants were invented, German researchers began to look for similar properties in St. John's wort.
St. John’s Wort works as a monoamine (MAO) inhibitor, preventing MAOs from breaking down certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore, it increases the amount and time of mood elevating neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, existing in between the synapses of the brain. It also works to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which helps regulates a person’s mood.
St. Johns Wort also works to activate gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) receptors in the brain, inhibiting reuptake. Increased GABA activity slows down brain processes, which can lead to feelings of relaxation. This may help with depressive symptoms of restlessness, and increase concentration and the ability to fall asleep.
St. John's wort is a common perennial herb of many branches and bright yellow flowers that grows wild in much of the world. Its name derives from the herb's tendency to flower around the feast of St. John. (A wort simply means plant in Old English.) The species name perforatumderives from the watermarking of translucent dots that can be seen when the leaf is held up to the sun.
St. John's wort has a long history of use in treating emotional disorders. During the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was popular for "casting out demons." In the 1800s, the herb was classified as a nervine, or a treatment for "nervous disorders." When pharmaceutical antidepressants were invented, German researchers began to look for similar properties in St. John's wort.
St. John's wort is a common perennial herb of many branches and bright yellow flowers that grows wild in much of the world. Its name derives from the herb's tendency to flower around the feast of St. John. (A wort simply means plant in Old English.) The species name perforatumderives from the watermarking of translucent dots that can be seen when the leaf is held up to the sun.
St. John's wort has a long history of use in treating emotional disorders. During the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was popular for "casting out demons." In the 1800s, the herb was classified as a nervine, or a treatment for "nervous disorders." When pharmaceutical antidepressants were invented, German researchers began to look for similar properties in St. John's wort.
overview
St. John's wort is a common perennial herb of many branches and bright yellow flowers that grows wild in much of the world. Its name derives from the herb's tendency to flower around the feast of St. John. (A wort simply means plant in Old English.) The species name perforatumderives from the watermarking of translucent dots that can be seen when the leaf is held up to the sun.
St. John's wort has a long history of use in treating emotional disorders. During the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was popular for "casting out demons." In the 1800s, the herb was classified as a nervine, or a treatment for "nervous disorders." When pharmaceutical antidepressants were invented, German researchers began to look for similar properties in St. John's wort.
(1) Szegedi A, Kohnen R, Dienel A, Kieser M. Acute treatment of moderate to severe depression with hypericum extract WS 5570 (St John's wort): randomised controlled double blind non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine. British Medical Journal 2005 Mar;330: 503-7.
(2) St. John’s Wort for Major Depression: German study shows herb as effective as antidepressants for major depression. http:// www.webmd.com/depression/news/20081009/st-johns-wort-major-depression
(3) Effect of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002; 287(14): 1807-1814.)
(4) Scott S. Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Mental Health. Elsevier Inc 2002
St. John’s Wort is also used for seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual syndrome, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
St. John’s Wort has been shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate forms of depression. Start with a daily dosage of 600-900 mg, split between breakfast and lunch. After the first week, increase to 900-1800 mg daily if necessary. Doses need to be taken for at least three weeks to show improvement. Sometimes the herb will not take full effect until after two months of treatment4. St. John’s Wort can be bought in tea, oil, or pill form. Check the product’s ingredients for 3-5% hyperforin, which is the main active compound in the plant and necessary for treatment effectiveness.
A meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials involving 1757 patients with mild to moderate symptoms of depression found improvement after 4-8 weeks of being treated with St. John’s Wort1. In some of those trials, St. John’s Wort was just as effective to tricylclic antidepressant medications in relieving symptoms of depression, and with fewer side effects. However, research is mixed. In Germany, studies have shown that St. John’s Wort is more effective than pharmaceutical medications, causing the herb to become the most prescribed treatment for depression in the country2. In the US, another study was done that found that St. John’s Wort effectiveness in treating depression was equal to the placebo effect, in which people feel better mostly because they think they should 3.
St. John’s Wort is a flower supplement that is reported to relieve emotional symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, and anxiety. It has also shown to reduce physical symptoms of depression, including headache and exhaustion. It is a popular alternative to pharmaceutical treatments because of its relative safety in comparison.
Find other natural remedies for depression.
St. John’s Wort works as a monoamine (MAO) inhibitor, preventing MAOs from breaking down certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore, it increases the amount and time of mood elevating neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, existing in between the synapses of the brain. It also works to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which helps regulates a person’s mood.
St. Johns Wort also works to activate gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) receptors in the brain, inhibiting reuptake. Increased GABA activity slows down brain processes, which can lead to feelings of relaxation. This may help with depressive symptoms of restlessness, and increase concentration and the ability to fall asleep.
I was lucky enough to try some St. John's Wort right out of a garden last summer. I wasn't in the depths of my depression at the time, but chewing and then consuming this flower had an immediate effect on my mental state. I can't speak to the supplement, but it seems like a powerful substance with clear healing properties!
I was lucky enough to try some St. John's Wort right out of a garden last summer. I wasn't in the depths of my depression at the time, but chewing and then consuming this flower had an immediate...
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