Super Strength St. John’s Wort Extract

St. John’s wort is a remedy with use dating back to the ancient Greeks for nervous or mood disorders. St. John’s wort was given its name because it blooms near June 24, the birthday of John the Baptist, and the word “wort” is an old English word for plant.

St. John’s Wort’s primary usage today is  for the treatment of depression and mood disorders (anxiety, tiredness, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping). St. John’s Wort was a herbalist favorite but an obscure little known herb among the general public until American media reported clinical research showing that St. John’s Wort was safe and effective for treating mild to moderate depression. Virtually overnight St. John’s Wort became an industry, becoming the fifth best-selling dietary supplement in mainstream retail stores in the U.S.A.

Main uses

Depression

St. John’s wort has been extensively studied as a treatment for depression. Most studies show that St. John’s wort is effective in treating mild-to-moderate depression, and has significantly fewer side effects than most prescription antidepressants. It works as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the type of antidepressant most often prescribed to treat depression. SSRIs include Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft. In addition, St. John’s wort doesn’t cause loss of sex drive, one of the most common side effects of antidepressants. Like all antidepressants, St. John’s wort can interact some medications, so talk to your  health care practitioner.

Studies have also shown that St. John’s wort is not effective in treating severe depression — where you have trouble functioning day to day, or have thoughts of harming yourself or others. Always see a doctor if your depression is making it hard for you to function.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS is a common condition affecting as many as 31% of women, with 20% of reproductive age women as having moderate to severe PMS. Some of the most widely prescribed medications for PMS are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), based on the role of serotonin in PMS symptoms. Unfortunately SSRIs have many side effects that PMS sufferers, especially those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms are reluctant to accept. Research has shown that St. John’s wort is effective in relieving the physical and emotional symptoms of PMS in some women, including cramps, irritability, food cravings, and breast tenderness. One study reported a 50% reduction in symptom severity.

Menopause

Since Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was found to be harmful and no longer the go to treatment for menopause, researchers have been looking for safe effective alternatives. Because of its safe antidepressive action, St. John’s Wort was a logical place to start. Substantial improvement in psychological and psychosomatic symptoms was observed. Climacteric complaints (night sweats, aching muscles and joints, irritability, feeling tired, loss of sexual desire, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances) diminished or disappeared completely in the majority of women (76.4% by patient evaluation and 79.2% by physician evaluation). Of note, sexual well-being also improved after treatment with St. John’s Wort extract.

In subsequent trials researchers discovered that Dong Quai, and St. John’s Wort, when used in combination were more effective than either remedy on their own. The combination is particularly effective at improving mood and reducing anxiety during menopause.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Used alone, St. John’s wort improves mood in people with SAD, a type of depression that occurs during the winter months, in part due to a of lack of sunlight. SAD is usually treated with light therapy. Research shows that using St. John’s wort together with light therapy and vitamin D works even better.

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