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The natural constituents in St. Johns wort support the natural brain function and mood by helping the brain maintain healthy levels of certain amino acids that act as neurotransmitters within the brain and cause you to have better feeling of well-being.
St. Johns wort also helps support levels of seratonin, a brain chemical involved in brain function which helps maintain a "happy feeling."
St. Johns wort is one of the most frequently recommended substances in all of Europe to help people cope with daily life.
While St. John's wort may not be well known in the United States, a recent article in the HotWired Internet magazine by Harvard-educated Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, said that it is very popular in Europe. "Doctors write millions of prescriptions for the pills every year, and as many bottles of over-the-counter products are sold" Dr. Weil said.
St. John's wort is a bushy perennial with numerous yellow flowers speckled with tiny black dots that, when rubbed, release a red pigment containing the active ingredient
hypericum. It grows in dry gravely soil and is native to many parts of the world, including Europe and the United States. It is especially abundant in northern California, southern Oregon and Colorado. St. John's wort has already been called the most well-researched herb in the world and has a 2,400 year history of safe and effective use in many folk and herbal recipes
Currently St. John's wort is the most extensively researched and used antidepressant known. In Germany, more than
50% of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders are treated with this
herb, compared to only 2% with Prozac.
St. John's wort is anxiolytic (it reduces anxiety) and has been used to support women during their monthly cycle.
Because it is classified as a food product (dietary supplement) St. John's wort is available without a prescription at a much lower price than prescription drugs. In a recent study involving 3,250 depressed patients, only 2.4% experienced side effects. Those included restlessness, gastrointestinal irritations and mild allergic reactions; compared to prescription antidepressants which have produced insomnia, weight loss and sexual dysfunction.
More and more therapists are recommending the St. John's wort herb to treat mild depression. The recommended dose for mild to moderate depression is 200-300mg of St. John's wort
(Hypericin), taken 3 times a day. St. John's wort appears to be effective if taken at least 4-6 weeks.
Do not mix with other anti-depressants without consulting your doctor.
Do not use if you are pregnant or lactating.
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