St. John’s Wort

Medical uses

St John’s wort is known as a herbal treatment for mild to moderate depression. Based on clinical trials conducted by Cochrane Collaboration St John’s wort had similar efficiacy to standard antidepressants. St John’s wort is especially popular in Germany, where doctors prescribe it for mild to moderate depression.

Externally it is used for healing wounds, first-degree burns and Myalgia.

St. John’s wort has other potential uses that have not been researched yet. It is believed to alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, menopause, fatigue, seasonal affective disorder, pediatric nocturnal incontinence and relieve the symptoms of hangover.

How to take it

St. John’s wort can be obtained in many forms:  tablets, capsules, tinctures, teas, and oil-based skin lotions.

Chopped or powdered forms of the dried herb are also available. Chopped forms of St John’s wort are best for making tea. Most products are standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin.

Tea: Pour one cup of boiling water over 2 tsp of dried St. John’s wort and steep for 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups per day for 4 – 6 weeks.

Liquid extract (1:1): 40 – 60 drops, two times per day.

Oil or cream: To treat inflammation, as in wounds, burns or hemorrhoids, an oil-based preparation of St. John’s wort can be applied topically.

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

Side effects and warnings

Do not take St. John’s wort if you have bipolar disorder.

Don’t take St John’s wort if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Don’t take St John’s wort in combination with any pharmaceutical antidepressants unless under professional guidance.

Photosensitization (redness of the skin caused by exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation) especially in fair-skinned individuals, may occur with excessive dosages (1,800 mg/day), but this reaction is relatively rare.