Most people are already aware of the health benefits of St. john’s wort, particularly its ability to help improve mental health symptoms. St. John’s Wort is a type of natural product that is often used to help reduce the symptoms of depression. A prescription is not required for this herbal supplement, which may be purchased online or at health food stores. However, it is crucial to note that there are definitely more risks with this product, relative to other types of nutraceutical products used to help with depression. Research published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology in 2015 found that it was not necessarily risk-free, with similar adverse side effects as antidepressants. Furthermore, it is also crucial to note that St. John’s Wort may not mix well with other types of drugs such as antidepressants. It is definitely best to talk to your doctor before considering St. John’s Wort, as this is not a typical, lower-risk supplement.
Even though St. John’s wort is considered an invasive plant in many countries, it has been used medicinally for thousands of years in other areas of the world. St. John’s wort, which got its name from the fact that it blooms on St. John the Baptist’s feast, is a perennial herb whose advantages are constantly being researched, most commonly for its mental health benefits. Furthermore, St. John’s Wort also has various antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, which means it may be able to help with many physical health conditions.
How it Helps
Many studies have focused on how St. John’s Wort is able to help to improve one’s mood. This blog post will mainly focus on how St. John’s Wort improves mental health, although there are other physical health benefits of St. John’s Wort.
Helps with depression
St. John’s wort’s antidepressant properties are perhaps its most well-known impacts of this product. The herb has long been used to treat depression symptoms, and it is now commonly prescribed by doctors and psychiatric professionals. Serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine are neurotransmitters inhibited or delayed in their reuptake by a unique mix of antidepressant molecules found only in this medication.
Reduces Stress and Panic
The health benefits of St. John’s Wort go beyond depression to include anxiety and mood swings as well. St. John’s wort helps with insomnia, irritability, and chronic exhaustion by helping to restore the body’s hormonal balance. This, in turn, helps the metabolism or internal clock get back on track. This can also help to improve one’s physical health, given that excess stress can harm many organs in the body.
Reduces Mood Swings
Premenstrual syndrome and menopause are two times in a woman’s sexual health when mood swings might be problematic. Both menopause and postmenopause women can benefit from St. John’s wort, which has been demonstrated to alleviate menopausal symptoms, including mood swings and anxiety. As an added benefit, they lessen the intensity of cramps and premenstrual symptoms like anxiety and sadness.
Antiviral Properties
St. John’s wort’s active components, in addition to its antidepressant properties, also have substantial impacts on the body’s hormone regulating system. One of the most frequent thyroid problems is hypothyroidism. Research shows that this herb can help alleviate its symptoms while also assisting the thyroid gland in reestablishing normal hormone levels. This is extremely true given that some types of medicines used for mood disorders can cause issues with the thyroid, while stress itself can cause thyroid issues.
Reduces the Symptoms of Withdrawal
St. John’s wort appears to be effective in lessening cravings or withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking, drinking, or using other addictive drugs. Recovery from addiction is difficult. Therefore, it may be beneficial for some people to consider St. John’s Wort in lieu of other limited alternatives. However, there is certainly a need for more investigation into this advantage.
Reduces Inflammation
We have mentioned how inflammation can in many cases cause or exacerbate symptoms of many mental health issues. Turmeric, an excellent anti-inflammatory nutraceutical product, has been shown to potentially help with depression because of this. St. John’s Wort is also very similar in this manner, and this is one of the reasons why it is commonly used for mental health conditions. This can also result in positive physical health benefits as well. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components found in St. John’s wort make it ideal for relieving joint and muscular pain from conditions like arthritis and gout. St. John’s wort decreases Inflammation in the cardiovascular system and the skin and stomach, helping to lower blood pressure and relieve stress on the heart.
Notes on Side Effects
The biggest issue with St. John’s Wort is that its side effects may be similar to that of antidepressants. Studies on the negative effects and health benefits of St. John’s Wort are mixed, yet it is clear that the side effects of St. John’s Wort are a notable risk. Fluoxetine and St. John’s Wort were compared with Fluoxetine in a study by the University of Adelaide, and this study found that St. John’s Wort resulted in many adverse reactions. Because adverse events are reported voluntarily, researchers believe there is a chance they are being underreported. These symptoms include nausea, dizziness, fear, panic attacks, and rage. Drug interactions are also a major source of worry, which is why it’s best to consult your doctor first about this nutraceutical product. St. John’s Wort may be a better option for treatment-resistant depression, or for those who have already decided that they would rather not take antidepressants. In many cases, the health benefits of st. john;s wort outweigh the side effects.
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