AKA: Tipton's weed, Klamath weed, Amber Touch-and-heal, Hardhay, Rosin rose, SJW, Hypericum perforatum

St. John Wort is a yellow flowering perennial herb that is native to Europe but now can be found growing in the meadows of the Americas. The leavws of the plant have small oil glands on in them which appear like small windows when held up to the light. St. John's Wort got its common name from St John's Day (June 24) which was the traditional day in which this plant flowered and was harvested.After harvesting, the plant was then hung over a religious icon in order to ward off evil.

Benefits and Uses:

• Antidepressant
• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Pain reliever
• Diuretic
• Promotes menstrual flow
• Strengthens nerves
• Speeds healing

Modern Day Use

Today, St. John's Wort has become a popular remedy for depression, becoming the  number one treatment for depression in Germany and a subject of many studies by the country's Commission E scientific panel.

The herb contains several different chemicals that are thought to help alleviate depression including hypericin, hyperforin, and pseudohypericin. In lab studies, these chemicals appear to decrease or delay the re-absorption of the neurotransmitters: dopamine, noreoinephrine and serotonin by the nerve cells.

These neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages from the nerve cells to other cells in the body. Generally, once the neurotransmitter does its job and delivers its message, it is reabsorbed and rendered inactive by the cells that released them in the first place.

The chemicals in St. John’s Wort appear to keep these chemical messengers around a little longer, enabling the body to utilize them. Studies have shown that the herb is effective at helping mild to moderate depression; although it may take several weeks of use before the maximum effect develop.

SJW has also been looked at as a treatment for other emotional disorders such as anxiety, OCD, mood swings caused by menopause, and PMS. It has also shown promise in helping people quit smoking by lessening the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and it has also shown the ability to reduce the craving of alcohol in addicted animals.

St. John's Wort has also shown promise as an antiviral and it is currently being studied for its effect on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other viral illnesses. The chemicals hypericin and psuedohypericin display the ability to stick to the surfaces of viruses, keeping them from attaching to host cells. It is also thought that SJW contains chemicals that help stop or reduce the production and release of virus cells. However, it should be noted that the high doses of the herb are required to get the desired antiviral effect and the resulting side effects limits the herbs usefulness as an antiviral.

Other uses

SJW has also been use to treat hypothyroidism and an extract of the herb can be made into a topical salve that is used to treat bruises, burns, insect bites and scabies.

Side Effects

St. John’s Wort is an MAO inhibitor and should not be taken in conjunction with alcohol or certain other foods. It should also not be taken with other anti-depressants, contraceptive pills, or foods that contain tyramine (cheese, red wine, persevered meats, yeast extracts). If you are on any type of medication, be sure to consult your doctor before taking St. John's Wort.

SJW may also make your skin and eyes more sensitive to light. If you take it, be sure use sunscreen and eye protection when going into the sunlight or if you are exposed to artificial tanning lights. Other possible side effects associated with the herb include dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, irritability and upset stomach.

SJW has also been linked to a potential oversupply of serotonin in the body. Although extremely rare, this serotonin syndrome could lead to coma, seizures, and even death. Symptoms of Serotonin syndrome include: confusion, euphoria, fever, hallucinations, loss of muscle coordination, nausea, restlessness, shakiness, sweating and vomiting.

coming soon....