St John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a herbal remedy derived from the leaves, stems and flowers of Hypericum perforatum, and it is often used as a traditional herbal medicine to relieve the symptoms of mild low mood and anxiety. It has many active substances, including hypericin and hyperforin.
According to Ann Pietrangelo from Healthline, “St. John’s wort is natural. It’s a herbal supplement that doesn’t require a prescription, and you can buy it at a health food store”. (1)
St John’s Wort may help with
- Anxiety and stress
- The symptoms of PMS
- It may reduce the size of brain tumours
- Cold and flu symptoms
What are the Benefits?
It may help with depression
Hypericin is the active ingredient in St John’s wort, and it may help to improve mood. Research shows that St. John’s wort may reduce low mood symptoms in those with light to moderate depression. (2) It may also help alleviate seasonal affective disorder which is associated with lower levels of light in the winter.
It may help with symptoms of PMS
Research suggests that St John’s Wort may improve symptoms of PMS. In 2010 Leeds University conducted a study involving 36 women, aged 18-45, diagnosed with mild PMS. For two menstrual cycles, they were given a placebo or St. John’s wort in the form of a daily 900mg tablet. Afterwards, the women received a placebo or Hypericum perforatum for two additional cycles. The results show that St. John’s Wort was more effective than the placebo and improved the physical and behavioural symptoms of PMS. (3)
May reduce the size of brain tumours
According to WebMD, early research shows that taking hypericin, a chemical in St. John’s wort, orally for up to 3 months could reduce tumour size and increase the odds of survival in people with brain tumours. (4)
May improve cold and flu symptoms
St John’s Wort has antiviral properties and may reduce cold and flu symptoms. (5) For example, a study found that St John’s Wort inhibited the ability of viruses to fuse with cells. (6)
St John’s Wort works well with
- Lemon Balm for panic attacks and anxiety
- Echinacea for infections such as colds and flu
- Lavender essential oil, due to its calming and relaxing properties
- Vitamin B complex for stress-related nervous disorders
Some things to consider
SERIOUS NOTE!
If you have any medical conditions, are taking any kind of medication, are pregnant, breastfeeding or both speak to your doctor before using St. John’s Wort. St John’s Wort can interact with drugs and have side effects.
The following side effects have been reported:
- A loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation
- Fatigue and restlessness
- Allergic skin reactions such as rash, hives or itchy skin.
- Sunburn-like reactions on skin exposed to strong sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly in light-skinned individuals.
- Headaches, nerve pain or tingling, anxiety, dizziness and mania.
If your doctor agrees that can use St. John’s wort and any of the above side effects occur, stop taking it.
Resources
Last accessed online 20/04/2020
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/is-st-johns-wort-safe-080615#1
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28064110
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20155996
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-329/st-johns-wort
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1283309
