Health Benefits
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral properties.
Potential benefits
- Sleep: St. John's wort oil may help people with insomnia sleep more comfortably.
- Pain relief: St. John's wort may help relieve pain from headaches, sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps.
- Other conditions: St. John's wort may help with nerve pain, weakness, stress, irritability, and other conditions.
- Depression: St. John's wort may be as effective as prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. It may also have fewer side effects.
- Anxiety: St. John's wort may help relieve anxiety by affecting GABA transmitters.
- Wound healing: St. John's wort can be applied topically to help heal wounds, burns, bruises, and other skin conditions.
How it's taken
- St. John's wort is available in many forms, including oil, dried herb, tea, and salve.
- It may take 4 to 6 weeks for St. John's wort to work.
Precautions
- St. John's wort can interact with other medications, so you should consult a health care provider before taking it.
- Less is known about how effective St. John's wort is long-term compared to antidepressants.
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