St. John’s wort is a medicinal plant with a long history of use as a natural antidepressant.
Clinical research shows that St. John’s wort benefits the body in a variety of ways.
In this article, we will look at the health benefits of St. John’s wort, its safety, and history.
Table of Contents
What is St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s wort is a perennial plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It is often found growing in fields, pastures, and along country roads.
The Latin name for this herb is Hypericum perforatum L. It’s also called hypericum and klamath weed.
St. John’s wort has a long history of use dating back to ancient Greek times.
This plant is widely used for treating depression. However, there are additional benefits of St. John’s wort such as the ability to reduce menopausal and PMS symptoms, skin healing properties, and the ability to manage OCD and SAD.
Health Benefits of St. John’s Wort:
There are many purported health benefits of St. John’s wort. This popular herb has a great amount of human clinical research – which is included below.
1. May Relieve Depression
Numerous studies show that St. John’s wort is an effective and safe natural treatment for moderate depression.
Depression is a mood disorder that’s defined as a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It’s estimated that 17 million people in the US have experienced depression (however this number is thought to be low).
In a 2017 review article, 27 clinical studies with a total of 3,808 participants were examined to compare St. John’s wort and SSRIs. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that are commonly prescribed for those with depression and anxiety disorders. These studies indicate that St. John’s wort is effective in alleviating depressive symptoms for those with mild-to-moderate depression; thus making it comparable to SSRIs.
In a randomized, double-blind study, researchers compared St. John’s wort extract and fluoxetine (an SSRI) in elderly patients with mild-to-moderate depression. St. John’s wort was found to be as effective as fluoxetine in managing depression and had no adverse effects on cognitive performance.
In another randomized, double-blind study, researchers compared St. John’s wort extract and imipramine (an antidepressant) in 263 patients with moderate depression. Both treatments were shown to be effective in improving the quality of life in those with depression, while St. John’s wort was shown to be better tolerated.
The effectiveness of two different extracts of St. John’s wort was examined in a randomized, double-blind study. 147 participants with mild-to-moderate depression were studied. The findings showed that the plant’s effectiveness in depression is based on its primary chemical component, hyperforin. The higher the content of hyperforin in the St. John’s wort extract, the more effective it may be for those suffering from severe depression.
A study investigating the efficacy of St. John’s wort for depression concluded that the extract is not effective in treating major depression. This finding may indicate that St. John’s wort is more effective in treating mild-to-moderate depression.
The Commission E, a governmental health agency in Germany, indicates that St. John’s wort is appropriate for use in depressive moods, anxiety, psychovegetative disturbances, and nervous unrest.
Additionally, the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) reports the use of St. John’s wort for mild-to-moderate depressive states, restlessness, anxiety, and irritability.
Summary:
Clinical research indicates that St. John’s wort may be helpful for individuals with mild-to-moderate depression. Individuals with major depressive symptom should reach out to their personal healthcare provider for more in-depth treatment.
2. May Help With Menopausal Symptoms
St. John’s wort benefits the body by naturally supporting menopausal symptoms.
As women age and estrogen production drops, menopausal symptoms may arise. Common menopausal symptoms include:
- hot flashes
- vaginal dryness
- sleep disturbances
- anxiety
- depression
The transitional period before menopause is referred to as perimenopause, while the period after menopause is considered post-menopause.
The effects of St. John’s wort on perimenopausal women who experienced menopausal symptoms were examined in a double-blind, randomized study. After three months of treatment with 900mg of St. John’s wort extract daily, results showed that St. John’s wort decreased hot flashes and fatigue and improved sleep.
A clinical trial investigated the effects of a herbal combination of St. John’s wort and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in 301 menopausal women. This combination was found to be highly effective in alleviating various menopausal complaints.
Another double-blind, randomized placebo-control study of 100 women examined St. John’s wort as an effective treatment for perimenopause and post-menopause. The results revealed a significant decrease in the number of hot flash episodes and their severity when given St. John’s wort extract.
Summary:
Research indicates that St. John’s wort may be an effective aid for reducing menopausal symptoms. More research needs to be conducted on this herb as a stand-alone treatment.
3. Skin Healing Properties
In traditional medicine, St. John’s wort was said to help to benefit skin health.