St. John's wort and its beneficial properties - whether a miracle?

St. John's wort has long been used in folk medicine, but doctors have only recently started to talk about its possible dangers, in particular its interaction with certain medications. For example, it was revealed its interaction with indinavir, a protease inhibitor used for treatment of patients with HIV infection. With simultaneous use of this medication, and St. John's wort concentration of indinavir plasma in the blood gradually decreases.

Furthermore, Hypericum may reduce the effectiveness of medications that are used to treat heart disease, depression, seizures, and certain types of cancer, and to prevent transplant rejection. Likewise Hypericum may interact with oral contraceptives.

If you are taking any other medications, be sure to consult with your doctor before using St. John's wort.

On St. John's wort

The herb St. John's wort - one of the most well-known medicinal plants used at present. This is a perennial plant that blooms of bright yellow flowers in the English-speaking countries is called the grass St. John's, St. John's wort because it blooms around June 24 - the day on which, presumably, was born John the Baptist.

In folk medicine, St. John's wort has long been used to treat psychiatric disorders. Previously it was thought that he casts out evil spirits out of a man, we now know that it affects the central nervous system. St. John's wort is also used to treat wounds, skin diseases, and other disorders.

There are many misconceptions about the active substances contained in the St. John's wort. Since the standardized extract of St. John's wort contains mainly hypericin, it is widely believed that this is the only active component of St. John's wort. However, the plant has another substance - hyperforin which as hypericin is an antidepressant. Many experts believe that the effectiveness of St. John's wort in the treatment of various psychological disorders is explained by the high concentration of hyperforin. Recent studies have shown that St. John's wort also contains flavonoids and tannins - they also have healing properties. To better understand the properties of St. John's wort, further research is needed.

Hypericum can be taken in capsule form, the extract pellets; It is made from oil, which is a part of certain medicinal ointments and lotions. Because St. John's wort can just make tea. Modern standard with St. John's wort preparations usually contain 0.3% hypericin and 2-5% hyperforin.

What used St. John's wort

St. John's Wort can be used in the treatment of the following offenses:

• Depression. Numerous studies have shown that the effectiveness of St. John's wort in the treatment of short-term (1-3 months) with mild to moderate forms of depression is comparable to the efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants. It causes fewer side effects than many antidepressants - this is one of the reasons for its popularity. It is unclear how useful St. John's wort in the treatment of severe depression, so if such violations can not be used instead of antidepressants.
• Anxiety. Some people who have been under Hypericum studies of its efficacy in the treatment of depression, anxiety reduction mentioned. However, the effect of St. John's wort to people suffering from anxiety disorders of personality, is not well understood.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder. As for the treatment of this disorder drugs used are the same as for the treatment of depression, it is assumed that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder can be useful hypericum. However, scientific evidence of this has not yet been confirmed.
• Damage to the skin. Oil containing St. John's wort and its ointment is used to treat burns, small wounds and hemorrhoids. It is believed that hyperforin, hypericin and possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Tannins eliminate skin irritation that often occurs due to cuts or scratches.
• Ear infections. Some recommend the use of Hypericum naturopathic to treat ear infections, particularly otitis media. The study, which was attended by more than 100 children, it was found that ear drops, which included St. John's wort, garlic Garlic health: almost a panacea   and calendula, are as effective as pharmaceutical and ear drops.
• Other disorders. There is evidence that St. John's wort may be useful for insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, attention deficit and other health problems.

Sensitivity

This is a rare reaction that occurs when people take St. John's wort in high doses for a long time. Particularly susceptible to the sensitivity people with fair skin, but it can occur even in people with dark skin. Under large doses normally be understood receiving tinctures of hypericum Herb St. John's wort - a remedy for stress   in an amount much greater than recommended.

Sometimes, St. John's wort can make a person more susceptible to the development of cataracts. St. John's wort should not be used for those who pass the light treatment of seasonal affective disorder.

St. John's wort and prescription antidepressants

Sometimes, St. John's wort is recommended to start taking after treatment with drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor and other MAO inhibitors. They are removed from the body for about 5 weeks, and about the same amount of time passes before starting to operate St. John's wort. It is believed that in this way the patient is easier to complete the course of treatment with antidepressants - refusal of them will be much softer than usual, and the risk of recurrence of depression is quite low.

Effectiveness

Preparations with St. John's wort is widely touted as almost cures for many diseases - in the end, manufacturers are more interested in their profits. The quality of non-prescription dietary supplements, unfortunately, is not followed as strictly as the quality of medicines. Research on the effectiveness of these drugs give very contradictory results, so it is not recommended to make a decision to undergo treatment hunter. Talk to your doctor, so he helped you to choose the drug that actually works. Even if you are just going to drink tea from St. John's wort, you must first consult with a specialist. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions, taking St. John's wort.

The foregoing should not scare you, but only to call for caution. Grass has long been considered to be completely safe light means that you can take in unlimited amounts. Likewise, St. John's wort - a great and powerful natural medicine that will help you, but only if you use it correctly.

Side effects

The most common side effects of hypericum are stomach upset, allergic reactions, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, dizziness, dry mouth, headaches. When applied to the skin of St. John's wort may cause a skin rash. Moreover, both oral and topical application Hypericum St. John's Wort: application - medicine for 99 diseases   make the eyes and the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Typically, these side effects disappear soon after a person stops taking St. John's wort.

In rare cases, St. John's wort may cause serotonin syndrome - a rare disorder that is a result of effects on the central nervous system of excessive amounts of serotonin. Among the symptoms of this condition - confusion, fever, hallucinations, nausea, incoordination, sweating, tremor. Most often, this side effect observed in patients who received simultaneously with zveroboem antidepressants tend to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. If you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome should immediately seek medical help.

Additional Information

• St. John's wort may worsen the condition of people with Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and some other mental illness Mental illness - ashamed to ask for help? .
• If you suspect depression can not self-medicate and to take St. John's wort without first consulting your doctor.
• Pregnant and lactating women, as well as those who in the near future plans to become pregnant, taking St. John's wort is not recommended.
• St. John's wort should not be taken by patients who have had an organ transplant, because it can trigger their rejection.

Those who are taking any prescription drugs, before taking St. John's wort is required to consult with the doctor.