Saint John's Wort

The Bright yellow star-shaped flowers of Saint John's Wort( hypericum Perforatun) are a common sight along roadsides in late summer. the fresh flowers and bud are rich in compounds (hypericin and hyperforin) that have mood-brightening effects. Saint John's Wort has a well-deserved reputation as the most popular herbal remedy for easing mild to moderate depression. In dozen of studies, extract of the herb have been proven to relieve mild to moderate depression as effectively as prescription antidepressant.

St. John's Wort also has been used for centuries for treating wounds, burns, bruises, varicose veins and nerve-related pain, such as sciantica, and bruises, varicose veins and nerve-related pain, such as sciantica, and recent studies are verifying the herb's anti-inflammatory and antimicroial properties.

For treating depression, St. John's Wort is most effective when taken as a standarized extract, generally 300 mg three times daily. Because Saint John's Wort has cumulative effect on mood, it can take one to two months to notice a difference. The herb can interact with numerous medications, so consult your doctor if you're taking prescription drugs.