|
| |
|
|
|
St.
John's Wort
|
| Parts Used -
Flowering tops and leaves |
|
| Common
Uses |
 |
Helps to alleviate
depression. It has become the most popular natural remedy for
mild to moderate depression, having fewer side effects than
commonly prescribed drugs. Widely used in Europe for the
treatment of mild to moderate depression |
|
Helps to reduce
anxiety, nervous tension and irritability |
|
Helps to relieve
emotional upsets and nervous tensions associated with
menopause and premenstrual syndrome. |
|
Applied externally
in a cream or lotion it can reduce localized nerve pains, such
as sciatica, myalgia, sprains, bruises, cramps and the pain
from breast engorgement during lactation. |
|
Applied externally
as an oil it can help relieve burns, and muscle and joint
inflammation. |
|
|
Side
Effects
Sun-sensitivity can occur in some
individuals, particularly those with fair skin. |
|
Safety
Issues
No
contraindications and no interactions with other drugs are known at this
time. |
|
History
of St. Johns Wort
St. John's Wort is a shrubby perennial with
bright yellow star-shaped flowers which bloom in mid-summer. It grows
wild in wooded and shady areas, and on chalky grassland. |
| St John's Wort has been valued
for it's medicinal properties for thousands of years. It was long
associated with dispelling evil spirits and was often given to the
insane. It was also taken into battle by the ancient Greeks and Romans
as well as the Crusaders. The soldiers used the plant to treat wounds
and burns. The name, in fact, is thought to come from the Knights of St
John of Jerusalem, who fought in the Crusades. |
|
