Ending Your Depression and Anxiety with St. John’s Wort

Mike Gerard, Contributor
Waking  Times

With the high levels of stress that comes from daily living, many people begin to develop moderate to severe emotional problems. Some people will seek out professional help, but many more will let these conditions go untreated. Although there are many prescription drugs on the market, these drugs carry a hefty price tag and they have moderate to severe side effects. One way to treat these emotional swings is with the use of herbal treatments. One herb in particular is St. John’s Wort. If you are looking for a great alternative, take a look at what St. John’s Wort can do for you.

Herbal MAO Inhibitor

When people begin having irregular thought processes, this typically stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain. St. John’s Wort is classified as a Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, an enzyme whose sole purpose is to metabolize certain neurotransmitters. Stabilizing these transmitters is the first step in treating most cases of depression. Most antidepressants and even some anti-Parkinson’s disease drugs fall into this category. Although St. John’s Wort is an MAO inhibitor, it does not require a prescription; therefore, it is cheaper and it can be sold over the counter.

St. John’s Wort Common Uses

St. John’s Wort is classified as an anti-depressant, and is listed as an herbal supplement, used for mild to moderate cases of depression. Although it has been mainly used for depression, it has been reported that it is also used in the treatment of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), some mild cases of menopause mood swings, and some cases of premenstrual syndrome.

For those individuals who have severe addictions such as alcohol, smoking, and drugs, there are studies that show St. John’s Wort can be an effective solution to this widespread problem. It has been noted that taking doses of St. John’s Wort has lowered the cravings for alcohol and nicotine.

St. John’s Wort Common Side Effects

Although St. John’s Wort is praised for its effectiveness in treating depression and anxiety, it does have several common side effects that should be noted. Most commonly, St. John’s Wort is known to increase sensitivity in tissue, and many people have reported experiencing sensitivity to their skin and eyes when exposed to sunlight.  It is advised when taking St. John’s Wort that you were protective glasses for the eyes and were some type of sunscreen to protect the skin.

Many others have experienced complications such as dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, mild to moderate cases of an upset stomach, and irritability. It was also noted that when taking St. John’s Wort you should try to avoid the consumption of alcohol and certain foods. Foods that contain high levels of Tyramine, a chemical found in many foods that has been linked to migraine headaches, should be avoided.

Conclusion

Getting help for depression is something that should be taken seriously. Depending on the severity, there are several options to choose from. Herbal remedies such as St John’s Wort may be considered as an alternative to pharmaceuticals. If you are looking for an over the counter, natural option for treating mild to moderate depression, reviewing the benefits of St. John’s Wort with your physician is an alternative that is working for many people.

About the Author

“Mike is a keen follower of trends in Ayurveda and Triphala Tablets supplements. He also has professional interests in the field and often recommends diets that include supplements such as Triphala. You can visit www.triphalapowderbenefits.com for more information about this herb”.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of WakingTimes or its staff.

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