Sometimes, the types of medications that are offered by doctors and hospitals just do not work out for us. Whether there is too high of an occurrence of side effects when you are taking a particular medication or it just does not seem to be working for you, it is helpful to know that there are alternative types of treatments available.
Many people turn to herbal supplements in order to successfully overcome problems that they may be having with their health, without having to get prescribed with any particular pharmaceutical treatment.
Herbal remedies are often well tolerated amongst individuals who take them in order to gain a health benefit, and they often provide the same types of results that pharmaceutical drugs can produce without any of the side effects.
One type of herbal supplement that is often taken by people is known as St John’s Wort. Used for numerous reasons in the past and in the present, many folks state that their health has benefited exponentially after beginning a regimen of the herb.
In this article, we will talk about the St Johns Wort herb and the types of benefits that this potent herbal remedy can have on your health.
St Johns Wort, also known as hypericum perforatum, is a type of herb that received its name by the day that it is commonly harvested, June 24th, which is often known as St. John’s Day. The flowers of the plant have been used throughout history in order to benefit the body in numerous ways. It is a type of perennial herb that can be easily recognized by its bright yellow colored flowers.
What is St Johns Wort Used For
Ancient Greeks were known to supplement themselves with St Johns Wort. Native Americans used the herb in order to treat inflammations, as it is a herb known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has many properties of an antiseptic.
Although the plant has been used for centuries for its traditional properties, those who take the herb in modern days often tout it?s wonderful capability as an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety agent.
St John’s Wort vs Antidepressants
There have been numerous clinical trials conducted in order to accurately gauge the efficiency of St Johns Wort for depression and anxiety. While some studies found that it can be very useful when it comes to treating cases of mild to moderate depression, other studies claimed that it had no real benefit when it came to treating depression aside from a type of placebo effect. In Germany, St Johns Wort is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and health insurance companies are paying for it.
If you are experiencing a case of depression, you may want to give St Johns Wort a try after you have spoken with your doctor. Many people claim to feel that their depression is lessened when taking the supplement on a regular basis, so it never hurts to give it a try.
If other types of medication are not working for your depression, you have got nothing to lose, and there is a very low chance that you will experience any side effects, especially when compared with commonly prescribed antidepressants. However, if you are taking any other prescribed medication, it is important to consult your doctor prior to taking St Johns Wort, since it can, in rare cases, interact with some other medications.