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 St.
John's Wort has been used for centuries to combat mild to moderate
depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and even minor surface wounds.
Because of St. John's Wort's calming effects and minimal side effects,
German doctors prescribe St. Johns Wort over the more commonly
prescribed synthetic drugs.
For these reasons, St. John's
Wort may be an excellent substitute to prescribed medications for those
who suffer from depression symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
St.
John's Wort and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can leave you feeling confused, "foggy" and
burnt out mentally: a symptom that easily leads to depression if not
resolved. St. John's Wort may help you to regain clearer thinking and a
better sense of well-being and is proving helpful to those suffering
from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
The
Benefits of Using St. John's Wort Over Synthetic Medications
With synthetic drugs used for anxiety and depression the common side
effects can include severities such as sexual dysfunction, nausea,
constipation, and other serious conditions. One of the most favourable
reasons to use St. John's Wort over synthetic drugs is the minimal
amount of side effects from its use.
The biggest concern most people
have about taking St. John's Wort is the possibility of
photosensitivity. In several studies conducted, however, it would take
roughly 30-50 times the recommended dose of St. John's Wort to produce
any kind of photo-toxic side effect.
It is wise to be aware of this
side effect, but if the recommended dose is taken then this side effect
is barely an issue. Sun blocks could be used as an extra precaution if
this side effect concerns you.
The
History of St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is a plant with a long and fascinating history, and has
been used for healing in Ancient Greece, Europe and Asia for over 2500
years. The most popular use for St. John's Wort today is to relieve
depression.
The
Active Ingredients in St. John's Wort
The two components that play an important role in the anti-depressant
effects of St. John's Wort are Hypericin and Hyperforin. Hypericin
helps inhibit the breakdown of neurotransmitters in the brain and
promotes capillary blood flow, a common problem for those suffering
from depression.
Hypericin also aids clear
thinking and sound sleep patterns by increasing theta waves in the
brain, which can assist those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
and other disorders. St. John's Wort also acts as a serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SRI, the same category of drugs as Prozac and Zoloft used
for depression).
There are two main forms that
St. Johns Wort can be taken in: tincture or standardised tablet form.
The tincture form may very in strength from bottle to bottle. But the
standardised tablet guarantees a standard dose of hypericin in each
tablet. The standardised tablet gives a more balanced result.
St. Johns Wort is readily
available over the counter at local health food shops and chemists.
There are many manufacturers of St. Johns Wort, try to find one that's
organic and works best for you - then stick to it.
Consult
Your Physician
It is wise to consult a physician before taking herbal supplements,
including St. John's Wort. Taking St. John's Wort with a prescribed
medication, for example an SRI for depression combined with St. John's
wort could produce an opposite effect and be harmful to your body. If
you are taking a contraceptive pill, you should also check with your
Doctor before taking this herb. You should not take St. John's Wort if
you are pregnant or nursing as it may have an adverse effect on the
baby.
Conclusion
St. John's Wort has received a large amount of recognition for
relieving depression. It has been used for centuries for depression,
anxiety, sleep disorders and topically for surface wounds.
Now St. John's Wort is becoming
a known help to those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome because of its
reputation for promoting clear thinking and lifting mood. St. Johns's
Wort has a minimal amount of side effects, can be purchased at a lower
cost than most prescription drugs.
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