ST. JOHN'S WORT
The spotlight has surely been on this
herb recently. St. John's Wort is the herb that is replacing Prozac in many
cases with the medical industries blessings. And, it is available without
a prescription. {Knock on wood!}
St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
grows wild throughout much of the world. You could be walking by it in your
area thinking it's just a pretty yellow flowering weed.
Think maybe we need to give our weeds
(herbs) a little more respect? Ya never know when you're gonna need 'em for
something.
Former Prozac users, now taking St.
John's Wort, are reporting fewer side effects. In most cases, there are no
side effects. In fact, a neighbor of mine came to me asking for it saying
she wanted to get off Prozac. She has since stopped all the psychiatric drugs
she was taking and is a firm believer in the efficacy of SJW.
IS IT A MIRACLE HERB?
Considering its popularity in Europe,
Germany, and now the USA, it's no wonder some are calling it a "Miracle Herb."
If you asked my neighbor, she'd be inclined to agree.
One of St. John's Wort's key constituents
is Hypericin. Aside from its most common use as an antidepressant, Hypericin
is so strongly antiviral that it is being researched for use in treating
HIV and AIDS.
The Encyclopedia of
Medicinal Plants (by Andrew Chevallier)
lists the following as self-help uses for St. John's Wort:
-- Anxiety, depression, & tension
-- Back pain
-- Bites & stings
-- Cold sores, chickenpox & shingles
-- Depression & decreased vitality due to menopause
-- Neuralgia
-- Stiff & aching joints
-- Tired & aching muscles
Add to that its value as a tonic for
the liver and gallbladder, the oil's antiseptic qualities when used on wounds
and burns, the oil's internal effects on peptic ulcers and gastric inflammation,
and the possibility of its use in treating HIV/AIDS. You've just got to give
this weed a little respect!
SIDE EFFECTS
We did mentioned that there could be
some side effects using SJW, but they are few and mild comparatively.
One is that it can cause sensitivity
to sunlight. This one is easy to remedy by either staying out of the sun
or by applying a strong sunscreen lotion.
Another is the possibility of a rise
in blood pressure. If you are prone to have high blood pressure, it would
be best to monitor this while taking SJW.
Another is drowsiness which apparently
doesn't last for more than a few days.
SOME MEDICAL LINGO
It is still not certain whether St.
John's Wort is a MAO (mono-amine oxidase) inhibitor or a serotonin reuptake
inhibitor. These inhibitors keep all your neurotransmitters, like serotonin
and dopamine, viable in your brain longer. The oxidase that burns them up
is inhibited so they remain accessible in your body. For this reason, it
is advisable not to mix this herb with other prescription drugs (i.e. MAO
inhibitors) without consulting your health care professional.
DOSAGES
The recommended adult dose for mild
to moderate depression is 300 milligrams of extract, containing 0.3 percent
of hypericin, taken three times a day. Check the labels, and do not exceed
1 milligram of hypericin a day. It sometimes takes four to six weeks to reach
effective levels in your bloodstream.
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