|
Some of the most impressive health benefits of St. John’s Wort include its ability to treat depression, improve mood swings, relieve anxiety, reduce the severity of pre-menstrual symptoms, ease addictive tendencies, regulate hormonal activity, prevent cancer, protect against viral infections, reduce inflammation, and soothe the nervous system.
Anti-Depressant Qualities: Perhaps the most well-known
effect of St. John’s Wort is its anti-depressant nature. It has been widely
used to relieve symptoms of depression for generations, and is now a popular
natural solution that doctors and psychiatrists often prescribe to their
patients. It contains a rare combination of antidepressant chemicals that
inhibit or delay the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin,
dopamine, and norepinephrine, thereby giving out bodies additional energy and
pleasure, chasing away depressive symptoms.
Other Mental Effects: This quality extends past depression,
despite that being the most publicized benefit, to help people suffering from
anxiety and mood swings as well. By helping to regulate the hormonal balance in
the body, St. John’s Wort is able to get the metabolism and internal clock back
in line, providing help for sleeplessness, irritability, and chronic fatigue.
Eliminating chronic stress hormones from the body can also improve overall
health and cognitive function, as excess stress hormones can permanently alter
various organ systems.
Menopausal Mood Swings: There are two distinct periods in
feminine sexual health that can be challenging in terms of mood swings;
pre-menstrual syndrome and menopause. St. John’s Wort is widely recommended for
women in both of these periods of their life, as the chemical constituents have
been shown to reduce mood swings and anxiety in menopausal women, and also
reduce the severity of cramping and pre-menstrual irritation and depression.
Addiction and Withdrawal: Although additional research on
this particular benefit is still ongoing, early indications show that the use
of St. John’s Wort can be very helpful in easing cravings and withdrawal
symptoms after quitting cigarettes, alcohol, or other addictive substances.
This could prove very useful, as addiction and recovery is a challenging and
flawed science at present.
Antiviral Agent: New research has recently come to light
that St. John’s Wort has certain antiviral capabilities, including the
prevention or reduction of risk for AIDS, hepatitis, and other serious viral
conditions. The only problem with this is that very high doses of it are
required for this sort of antiviral effect, which would also cause a range of
unpleasant side effects. Additional research into finding a happy balance in
this specialized area of health is ongoing.
Hormonal Balance: As already expressed in the explanation of
the antidepressant effects of St. John’s Wort, the active ingredients have
strong effects on hormone regulation in the body. Hypothyroidism is one of the
most common thyroid disorders and it has been shown to reduce those symptoms and
help the thyroid gland produce normal levels of hormones again.
Anti-Inflammatory Agent: The soothing nature of St. John’s
Wort and the rich concentration of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds
make it perfect for easing the aching pains of arthritis, in addition to gout,
joint discomfort, and muscle aches. Just as it helps ease inflammation on the
skin and in the gut, St. John’s Wort also lowers inflammation in the
cardiovascular system, thereby helping to lower blood pressure and decrease
stress on the heart.
Skin Treatment: If you use St. John’s Wort in topical
application in the form of a salve or tincture, it can speed the healing
process of burns, bruises, and scrape by stimulating circulation of oxygenated
blood to those skin cells so that repairs can begin.
Pregnancy Pains: While pregnant, haemorrhoids or other
stretched out areas of the body can become very painful. Although it is not
recommended to take oral supplements throughout the pregnancy, topical
application of St. John’s Wort salves and pastes are highly recommended for
women suffering from these pregnancy-related conditions.
Anti-Cancer Effects: Cancer research has recently begun
putting more faith in the role that St. John’s Wort could play. Laboratory
research has shown a definite correlation between the prevention and treatment
of leukaemia with consistent use of St. John’s Wort supplements. Any
cancer-preventing substance is highly valued, and this research will certainly
be ongoing.
A Final Word of Warning: The most common negative effects of
St. John’s Wort are dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. This only occurs
in a small percentage of people, although other restrictions include people
with diagnosed bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The intense hormonal reactions
of St. John’s Wort can also be a dangerous mix with a variety of medications.
It is essential to discuss your current medications and conditions with a
physician before adding St. John’s Wort to your regular supplement regimen.
|
