Just In
- 2 hrs ago Lunar Eclipse 2024 Horoscope: Know The Effect Of First Chandra Grahan Of The Year On All 12 Zodiac Signs
- 3 hrs ago Daily Horoscope, 19 March 2024: Capricorn Needs To Remove Themselves From Unnecessary Fights
- 15 hrs ago 3-YO Girl Eats Everything Dangerous In The House- Glass, Foam, Furniture, And More Due To A Rare Condition
- 19 hrs ago Lakmé Fashion Week 2024: Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, And Ananya Panday Promote Creative Fashion, Pics!
Don't Miss
- Finance 2:1 Bonus Shares: Metal Stock Trades Ex-Bonus On Tuesday; Buy/Sell Or Hold?
- News 15 Prominent Corporate Figures Purchase Electoral Bonds, Reveals Election Commission Data: Report
- Movies Lal Salaam OTT Release Date And Platform: When And Where To Watch Rajinikanth's Movie
- Sports IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant won't find things easy in IPL, reckons Sunil Gavaskar
- Travel Celebrate Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon on March 19: A Colorful Tradition of UP
- Technology Infinix Note 40 Series Launched with MediaTek SoCs, MagSafe Charging, 120Hz Display: Price, Specifications
- Automobiles Skoda Epiq Electric SUV – Top Things You Need To Know
- Education Microplastics may pose risk to Indo-Gangetic plain: Study
St John's Wort: Benefits, Side Effects And Drug Interactions
St John's wort, also known as Johnswort, goat weed, touch-and-heal, is a yellow star-shaped five petals flower mainly used for curing depression, sleep disorders and healing wounds. The botanical name of the plant is Hypericum perforatum. As the flower blossoms around the St. John's Day which falls on 24 June, it is known as St. John's wort.
The flower of the plant has been used to make tea, liquid extract, and pills since centuries. Several studies show that St. John's wort is used to treat severe depression [1] as its effect is similar to many prescribed antidepressants.
Another study also found that it is effective in treating wounds, pain, menopause symptoms and sores.
If we look at its downside, the extract of this flower is banned in certain countries due to its serious interaction with certain medicines.
Health Benefits Of St. John's Wort
Treats depression: St. John's wort contains an active substance called 'hypericin' [2] which is effective in treating mild to moderate depression. Consuming it by mouth helps decrease nervousness, anxiety, and tiredness [1] .
Treats symptoms of PMS: St. John's wort consumption helps in reducing symptoms of menopause like mood changes, hot flashes, food cravings, insomnia, headaches, confusion and others [3] .
Heals wounds: The oil or ointment extracted from the flower is effective in healing wounds and reducing scars [4] . It is very useful in reducing C-section scars.
Apart from the aforementioned, St. John's wort is also effective in treating other conditions like the following, but there's no sufficient proof related to it. [5]
- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
- Brain tumour
- Migraine
- Herpes
- Skin irritation
- Clear blocked arteries
- Tooth pulling
- Bruises
- Muscle pain
- Stomach upset
Side Effects Of St. John's Wort
- St. John's wort causes many side effects like dizziness, headache, and skin irritation if it interacts with certain drugs. Thus, it is important to consult a doctor before using it.
- Avoid sun after its consumption by mouth as it may result in severe skin reactions.
- Pregnant women should avoid its intake as it may result in some birth defects.
- St. John's wort can interact with certain medicines which are used during surgery. Avoid its intake 5 days or a week before your heart surgery as it may cause complications later.
- Avoid its consumption if you are planning to have a baby as it may cause trouble while conceiving [6] .
Medications That Interact With St. John's Wort
- Aminolevulinic acid (for skin)
- Birth control pills
- Digoxin (for heart)
- Irinotecan (for cancer)
- Medications for depression like sertraline, fluoxetine, and imipramine
- Medications for HIV like delavirdine and nevirapine
- Medications for pain like morphine and meperidine [7]
- St. John's Wort Tea Recipe
St. John's Wort Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp of dried leaves and flowers of St. John's wort
- Honey/sugar
Method
- Allow the water to boil and add 2 tbsp of herb per cup.
- Let it boil for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain the mixture in a cup.
- Add sugar or honey to taste.
- Serve it hot.
- [1] Linde, K., Berner, M. M., & Kriston, L. (2008). St John's wort for major depression. Cochrane database of Systematic reviews, (4).
- [2] Linde, K. (2009). St. John’s wort–an overview. Complementary Medicine Research, 16(3), 146-155.
- [3] Wölfle, U., Seelinger, G., & Schempp, C. M. (2014). Topical application of St. Johnʼs wort (Hypericum perforatum). Planta medica, 80(02/03), 109-120.
- [4] Grube, B., Walper, A., & Wheatley, D. (1999). St. John's Wort extract: efficacy for menopausal symptoms of psychological origin. Advances in therapy, 16(4), 177-186.
- [5] Klemow, K. M., Bartlow, A., Crawford, J., Kocher, N., Shah, J., & Ritsick, M. (2011). 11 Medical Attributes of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Lester Packer, Ph. D., 211.
- [6] Knuppel, L., & Linde, K. (2004). Adverse effects of St. John's Wort: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 65(11), 1470-1479.
- [7] Chrubasik‐Hausmann, S., Vlachojannis, J., & McLachlan, A. J. (2019). Understanding drug interactions with St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.): impact of hyperforin content. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 71(1), 129-138.
- [8] Apaydin, E. A., Maher, A. R., Shanman, R., Booth, M. S., Miles, J. N., Sorbero, M. E., & Hempel, S. (2016). A systematic review of St. John's wort for major depressive disorder. Systematic reviews, 5(1), 148. doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0325-2
- healthDo You Keep A Clove Of Garlic Under Pillow? Not To Keep Vampires At Bay, There May Be Scientific Reasons
- healthGet Your Groove On: 5 Health Benefits Of Dancing To Afro Beats
- healthIndigenous Delicacies: 5 Rare Indian Wild Foods That Are So Healthy You Should Try It!
- healthHaving Chicken Soup At Home Can Cure These Health Issues
- healthBoost Your Health with Beetroot: Health Benefits And Ways To Add The Colourful Veggie In Your Diet
- healthHealth Benefits Of Garam Masala: From Digestion To Weight Loss, Proper Use Can Yield Many Benefits
- healthAyurvedic Wisdom: Panchamrit's Surprising Health Benefits
- healthUnveiling the Power of Turmeric Ghee: An Ancient Ayurvedic Secret!
- healthPlant-Based Diet And Nutrition: Your Key To A Stronger Immune System!
- healthExperience the Healing Power of Indian Herbal Teas!
- healthInternational Cat Day 2023: Did You Know That Cat Purring Can Benefit Your Health? Check Out How!
- healthHeart-Healthy Breakfast: Discover The Benefits Of Frozen Strawberries