Consuming St. John’s Wort

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Consuming St. John’s Wort: What are the Benefits and Side Effects?

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St. John’s wort is a natural, herbal supplement that can be purchased in a health food store or online. More and more people are turning to natural herbal supplements like St. John’s wort to treat a range of health issues and ailments. But just because something can be easily bought over the counter, doesn’t always mean it is 100% safe. Unlike prescription medications, herbal supplements like St. John’s wort are not regulated. For consumers who want to use natural supplements, they must do their research on the product before they buy and use it.

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What is St. John’s Wort?

St. John’s wort is extracted from a flowering plant called Hypericum perforatum. The plant produces bright yellow flowers that are a part of the legend of St. John. The myth states that these pretty, cheerful flowers first bloomed on St. John the Baptist’s birthday. In Old English, “wort” means plant. So St. John’s wort really translates to St. John’s plant and isn’t referring to a wart at all. For centuries, people have used St. John’s wort to treat a range of health issues, dating all the way back to Ancient Greece. Today, the supplement is mostly used to alleviate depression symptoms, but it has other uses as well. Historically, St. John’s wort was also used for kidney problems and lung diseases.

What is St. John’s Wort Used For?

St. John’s wort is typically used in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. The active ingredient in the supplement is called hypericin, and it is thought to improve mood. Studies have indicated that hypericin impacts neurotransmitters in the brain thought to be responsible for producing and regulating mood and emotions. Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals the brain produces. Antidepressants also work in a similar fashion, in that they directly impact a cocktail of neurotransmitters to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms.

People have believed for hundreds of years that herbal remedies can improve mood and alleviate “the blues.” But St. John’s wort has also been used to ease the symptoms of other conditions, mostly:

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Anxiety
PMS
Menopause symptoms
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Some people have even used St. John’s wort to help them quit smoking. Oils made from the plant’s extracts have also been used to treat wounds, hemorrhoids, and other skin conditions like eczema.

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How Effective is St. John’s Wort?

The flowers of St. John’s Wort are also processed into teas that are popular to drink as an herbal remedy for depression. Most of the studies on St. John’s wort focus on the supplement’s impacts on depression symptoms. A major study called the Cochrane systematic review found that St. John’s wort can treat the symptoms of major depression. An additional 35 studies on St. John’s wort and depression found that it could reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate depression to similar effect as a mainstream antidepressant. For depression symptoms, St. John’s wort was more effective than taking a placebo. A recent 2017 study on St. John’s wort and depression found that people were more likely to stop taking an antidepressant medication due to side effects than St. John’s wort.

St. John’s wort has also become a popular herbal treatment method for skin issues. Further studies have found that the supplement can speed up wound healing, burns, sores, and bruises when applied as a topical. Despite the positive evidence that St. John’s wort may be a good alternative remedy for certain issues, consumers need to be aware of several things. First of all, herbal supplements like St. John’s wort and CBD are not FDA regulated. As such, these products have not been officially approved as treatments for health issues. Also, supplement manufacturers are not subject to stringent manufacturing requirements. When it comes to natural remedies, its buyer beware.

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What are the Side Effects of St. John’s Wort?

One of the most significant downsides to using St. John’s wort is that it can severely inhibit the effectiveness of other medications, especially SSRIs, and MAOIs. Taking one of these drugs in conjunction with St. John’s wort can also cause elevated blood pressure, and could even trigger a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. Although this is rare, it is still a significant risk. Some of the side effects of serotonin syndrome include agitation, confusion, anxiety, fever, elevated pulse, sweating, and muscle spasms.

The herbal also interacts with birth control pills, seizure medications, and anticoagulant medicines. People who’ve had an organ transplant should probably avoid St. John’s wort because it will reduce the effectiveness of anti-rejection medications. Those who are taking certain drugs for heart disease, cancer, and HIV should also avoid St. John’s wort. St. John’s wort can also reduce the effectiveness of Xanax, a popular anti-anxiety medication. St John’s wort is also dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Are There Any Viable Herbal Alternatives to St. John’s Wort?

CBD is becoming a popular herbal remedy for a wide variety of health issues. But like St. John’s wort, it is not approved by the FDA for these ailments. Also, CBD can interfere with certain prescriptions, too. Anyone who is taking prescribed medicine should talk to their doctor before trying an herbal supplement, including CBD.

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Something else consumers should keep in mind is that the herbal supplements market is like the Wild West. There is little oversight and regulation. While many report that herbal supplements have helped them find relief, it is critical for consumers to research a manufacturer before they make a purchase. Less trustworthy supplement makers will dilute their products or mix them with ingredients that can be harmful to people’s health.

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Here at Hugs CBD, we take pride in offering shoppers a transparent, honest product line of high-quality CBD products. Each CBD product from Hugs is independently tested through a third-party lab. You can see exactly what goes into your CBD tinctures, gummies, and drink mixes. All lab test results are posted on our website, and anyone can access them. If your doctor has cleared you for CBD, shop online at Hugs today and have CBD conveniently delivered to your home.

Last updated October 9 2019

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