Nutrition

15 Health Benefits and Uses of St John's Wort

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St. John's wort or Hypericum perforatum, is a flowering plant in the Hypericaceae family. This plant basically grows up to one meter tall and has yellow flowers with black dots on the edges. Despite the amazing looks, it is edible as well as offers many health benefits that you cannot even imagine.

In today's busy life, stress has become a part of our lifestyle and many of us are struggling to get rid of it. You can thank St. John's Wort which can refresh your mood along with providing many other health benefits from digestion, and menopause, to beauty enhancement. Here are the 15 health benefits that you can derive from this amazing plant.

1. Pain Relief

The pain-relieving properties of the amazing herb, St John's Wort make it a famous traditional choice. Actually, the compounds such as hypericin and hyperforin present in this plant help reduce inflammation and pain. This plant is also supposed to influence neurotransmitters in our brain, such as serotonin, which can improve mood and lower the perception of pain.

As per the reports, this flowering plant is effective for people who are suffering from nerve pain, muscle pain, and general discomfort. However, it's quite necessary to use it cautiously, as it can interact with other medications and cause side effects. It will be better to consult a doctor once, before using this as a traditional healer.

2. Improves Mood

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Another amazing property of this plant is mood enhancement which is possible because of its active compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin. These compounds are supposed to increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain which play a key role in regulating mood.

Being sufficient with such compounds this essential plant helps people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. It is also a useful thing that many people utilize as a natural alternative to prescription antidepressants, providing a gentle uplift in mood and overall sense of well-being. You can also try this herb if you are struggling with mood swings and anxiety, you may find a better result.

3. Sleep Enhancement

Sleeping disorders have become common these days, which may be because people are more into digital work and taking too much stress of their matters. Doctors suggest you take therapies, pills, and other medications, however, you can also try St. John's Wort works fantastically especially to make your sleep better.

Yes, you heard that right, this beneficial plant helps you improve your sleep with its active compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin, which help regulate neurotransmitters in our brain, like serotonin, which not only affects mood but also plays a role in sleep regulation. Reports suggest that this plant is absolutely helpful in falling asleep more easily and also improving the quality of sleep.

4. Anxiety Reduction

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If you are suffering from anxiety and frequent mood swings, then this plant works the best for reducing your anxiety level. Compounds like hypericin and hyperforin present in this plant are believed to affect the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters actually play a major role in mood regulation and emotional well-being. 

By the smooth regulation and balance of such chemicals in the brain, this plant can calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. You should definitely consider this if you are feeling so much stress and anxiety. For the right way to use please consult the doctor or medical practitioner.

5. Anti-Inflammatory

This plant is rich in active compounds such as hypericin and flavonoids, which are believed to inhibit the production of certain inflammatory chemicals. Interestingly, this herb can be beneficial for conditions characterized by inflammation, such as arthritis, muscle pain, and skin irritations. By reducing inflammation, it also helps alleviate associated symptoms like pain and swelling.

If you are looking for the best natural and homeopathy solution, then St. John's Wort is the best option for reducing inflammation. This provides calmness in pain and helps your pain make less inflammation thereby protecting from further worsening the situation.

6. Menstrual Relief

Menstrual pain is a serious matter that every female suffers, they might be taking various medicines to reduce pain as well as make them feel better mentally. Though doctors recommend such chemical medication, it is better to treat this pain naturally if possible. Well, you can do that by using St. John's Wort, which is an essential herb.

This herb's active compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, are often helpful in regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can enhance your mood and reduce irritability during mensuration.

Many women have admitted that this plant actually works for reducing pain and balancing mood swings during periods. However, it is recommended you consult a doctor as period pain can become a serious matter.

7. Wound Healing

You may or may not know this but this essential plant has been used as a traditional wound healer for a long time. The compounds like hypericin and hyperforin present in this plant have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation in wounds, promoting faster healing. 

Also, the reports suggest that this herb can stimulate the production of new skin cells, supporting the repair of damaged tissue. It is often used as creams, oils, or ointments that we apply directly to the skin for minor cuts, burns, and abrasions.

Aren't these healing effects wonderful? You should definitely consider this beautiful plant during a wound, however, it's better to visit a doctor if the wound is too deep and requires urgent treatment.

8. Improves Digestive Health

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As per the latest survey, more than 40% of people in the United States have digestive health issues. Besides using expensive treatments and medications, you can also try St. John's Wort which is the best plant to improve digestive health by providing anti-inflammatory and calming effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

This herb's active compounds, such as hyperforin and flavonoids, can help lower inflammation in the digestive system, which may be beneficial for conditions like gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other inflammatory digestive issues. You can experience soothing and sound digestive functions if consume this plant either as tea or juice.

However, it is better to consult the doctor for the right amount of consumption. Having less idea about the measure and way to consume may result in several side effects on health.

9. Appetite Regulation

This plant plays an impressive role in appetite regulation, largely due to its effects on mood and neurotransmitters in the brain. Its active compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin, are often recognized to influence levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that not only regulates mood but also affects appetite.

By helping to balance serotonin levels, St. John's Wort can potentially assist in managing emotional eating or appetite changes related to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

This regulation can help promote a healthier eating pattern, especially for those who experience stress-related or mood-related changes in appetite.

10. Blood Pressure Regulation

You might be thinking, about how St. John's Wort can regulate blood pressure. Actually, this is not the actual treatment for blood pressure but can help a lot to regulate it up to some limit. While it can affect mood and anxiety, which might help with stress-related blood pressure changes, it's not a main treatment for high blood pressure. 

The herb’s impact on neurotransmitters (serotonin) might help reduce stress and anxiety, potentially leading to a slight drop in blood pressure during stressful times. This effect is not that strong and reliable as per the doctors. You can take it as a very short-term solution before taking actual medical assistance.

11. Detoxification

Some people believe that by supporting overall well-being and reducing stress, St. John's Wort might indirectly support in the body’s natural detoxification processes. Yes, reduction in stress levels is a good detox in itself, but it cannot be said that this plant helps in the overall detoxification of the body. Till now, no medical reports have proven the effective detoxification power of this plant.

However, you can use it as a short-term solution. Being famous for its stress reduction capacity, this plant may also help you detox your brain and other parts. However, it is not a good idea to rely solely on this herb. Consult a doctor or take other medical help for the proper detoxification.

12. Bone Health

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St. John's Wort is mainly recognized for helping with mood and anxiety rather than bone health. There is not much solid evidence suggesting it directly strengthens bones or prevents issues like osteoporosis. However, by improving overall mood and reducing stress, it may indirectly promote healthier habits such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, which are beneficial for bone strength.

You can consume this plant regularly for your bone health along with other health benefits but it is necessary to consult the medical practitioner once. For better bone health, you can focus on getting enough calcium, and vitamin D, and engaging in weight-bearing activities. 

13. Allergy Relief

St. John's Wort is not commonly used for allergies, but do you know it may offer some benefits? By improving mood and reducing stress, it can potentially support the immune system, helping your body manage allergies better. Some people believe its anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce symptoms such as swelling or irritation.

However, it is better to remember that this plant can interact with other medications and may not be safe for everyone. So, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before using it, especially for allergies. They can provide the best treatment options and advise whether St. John's Wort is suitable for your situation.

14. Anti-Viral Properties

St. John's Wort is believed to have antiviral properties, which might help in fighting off certain viral infections. Actually, this herb contains compounds such as hypericin and hyperforin, which have been shown in some studies to inhibit the replication of viruses. These compounds may interfere with the ability of viruses to reproduce and spread in the body.

While some people use this herb as a natural remedy for conditions like the common cold or herpes, it is quite important to note that scientific evidence on its effectiveness is limited. Also, this plant can interact with other medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness. 

So, it will be better if you use this plant as a tea or juice only at a small limit. Excessive use is often harmful and may create other side effects.

15. Skin Health

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You might be concerned about your skin health and might use many beauty products to improve or retain skin health. Well, St. John's Wort is a brilliant natural remedy that is sometimes used to support skin health. It contains compounds such as hypericin and hyperforin, which have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

These qualities can help soothe minor skin irritations, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection. Also, many people are using this plant in the form of oil or creams to treat conditions such as minor burns, cuts, eczema, or bruises. Its soothing effects can further help calm irritated skin and promote healing.

However, it's important to be cautious, as this herb can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, potentially leading to sunburn. As with any herbal remedy, this is also advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before using St. John's Wort for skin issues, especially if you have sensitive skin or are taking other medications.

These are some of the wonderful health benefits of St. John's Wort, which compel you to include this plant in your health care routine. However, you need to be aware of the right way to use it and its side effects.

Uses of St John's Wort

St John's Wort is a versatile plant that not only offers health benefits but also makes you blissful with many other uses. Here are some of the powerful uses of this plant, check out:

  • Herbal Tea: This plant can be used or consumed as a tea due to its soothing and mood-improving effect. You can consume this anytime to experience the refreshing mood.
  • Skin Care Products: It is also used to make skincare products by incorporating it into creams and ointments for its potential skin-healing properties.
  • Essential Oil: This plant also has an essential oil benefit as it is used in aromatherapy for relaxation and stress relief. You can use this oil to get instant relief from headaches and lighten your mood.
  • Animal Health: Sometimes this plant is used in herbal remedies for pets, though caution is advised.
  • Natural Dye: Historically it has been used as a natural dye for fabrics. It has a natural power that works effectively and is less harmful than chemicals.
  • Cultural Practices: These beautiful flowering plants have an impressive role in various cultural and folk traditions and rituals. They are commonly used in functions.
  • Home Treatments: One can also use this flower and whole plant in various traditional home remedies for minor ailments. They work perfectly to offer a calm and quick remedy.