St. John’s Wort: A Possible Remedy For Some Health Problems

St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries to treat a range of ailments. This herb with yellow, star-shaped flowers and five petals has active ingredients like hypericin and hyperforin which is said to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.

Keep reading to know more about the possible benefits we can obtain from St. John’s Wort.

May Treat Sinus Congestion

Since St. John’s Worth has antibiotic and antiviral properties. Researchers of some studies suggest that this herb may work against sinusitis and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is believed that it works by relieving phlegm congestion, flu, sinus infection, and bronchitis symptoms.

May Help Control Menopausal Symptoms

Studies have found that St. John’s Wort extract may help relieve symptoms of menopause.

In one study, researchers have discovered that the plant can be used as an effective treatment against the vasomotor symptoms of perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.

Furthermore, another study showed that 111 women supplemented with 900 mg of St. John’s Wort daily for 12 weeks showed improvements in their menopausal symptoms.

Also when combined with other herbs, the extracts of St. John’s Wort have shown fewer side effects in postmenopausal women.

May Treat Atopic Dermatitis

The herb appears to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Its major components hyperforin and hypericin has anti-inflammatory effects that may be beneficial in treating atopic dermatitis.

May Reduce Cancer Risk

St. John’s Wort possesses several pharmacological properties. It has a natural product known as hyperforin which is said to be a powerful anti-cancer agent as it helps promote the programmed cell death of various cancer cells and inhibits their capacity to migrate. Hyperforin could induce cancer cell death in the case of leukemia.

May Help Manage Depression

St. John’s worth has therapeutic benefits in treating mild to moderate depression. It reduces the symptoms of depression to a similar extent as antidepressants, according to a study.

In a review of 29 international studies, researchers suggest that St. John’s Wort may be better than a placebo and as effective as different standard prescription antidepressants that are used to treat depression.

Also, researchers believed that the herb’s hypericin and hyperforin content are the ones responsible for increasing levels of certain brain chemicals, like serotonin. People with depression often have low levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

May Treat Anxiety Disorder

St John's wort is an herbal remedy that has been used for hundreds of years to treat mental health problems. It has been used to treat mild anxiety and sleep problems.

In a study, the herb was found to possess antidepressant properties that may be useful in the treatment of the major depressive disorder (MDD) with comorbid anxiety.