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 Native
to Europe, St. John’s wort is now found growing in dry areas such as
the edges of fields and along roadsides in many temperate climates.
It is a shrub-like weed that spreads rapidly and invades cultivated
land unless controlled. St. John’s wort blooms from late May through
September, depending on the climate. It was believed to bloom on the
birth day of St. John the Baptist, June 24 - hence the name St.
John's wort.
Best known for use as a mild antidepressant, St.
John’s wort is also being studied for its possible affects on other
mood disorders such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
St. John’s wort herbal supplements are among the leading medicines
used in Germany to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate
depression. People taking St. John’s wort show an improvement in
mood and ability to carry out their daily lives. Symptoms including
sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, exhaustion, and poor sleep
also decrease with the usage of St. John's wort. Used topically, it
may have antiviral and antibacterial effects.
Native to
Europe, St. John’s wort is now found in most temperate climates.
Mostly in dry areas such as the edges of fields and along roadsides,
it is a shrub-like weeds that spreads rapidly and invades cultivated
land unless controlled. St. John’s wort blooms from late May through
September, depending on the climate. It was believed to bloom on the
birth day of St. John the Baptist, June 24. This is why it was
called St. John’s wort. Its bright yellow flowers are collected in
late summer along with the buds, stem tops, and young leaves around
them and quickly dried to preserve chemicals for medical use. St.
John’s wort is known to be helpful with depression, seasonal
affective disorder, mood problems, sleep problems like insomnia and
hypersomnia, HIV and AIDS, wounds and sunburns, hemorrhoids, brain
inflammation if used as a tincture with ginkgo, and
rosemary.
Dosage and
Administration
Adult Doses:
For
depression and other mood problems, use 300 to 500 mg (standardized
to 0.3% hypericin extract), three times per day, with meals, for a
minimum of four to six weeks. As a tea, add 1 to 2 tsp of dried St.
John's wort to one cup of boiling water and then let sit for 10
minutes (drink 1 to 2 cups per day for four to six weeks). St Johns
wort can also be used topically for treating wounds, burns, or
hemorrhoids
Children Doses:
St. John’s wort can
be used as a nerve tonic for children, but make sure to adjust the
recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most
herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb
(70 kg) adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 to 25 kg),
the appropriate dose of St. John's wort for this child would be 1/3
of the adult dosage.
We recommend consulting with a doctor
before starting any supplement.
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