Do you think that the herb St. John’s Wort is only helpful for depression? Think again. This herb, which is one of the most widely researched herbs on the planet has been found to be helpful for many other conditions, ranging from obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety to cancer.
The following dosages are based on Mayo Clinic recommendations, with the study-proven products or a product that is similar to one used in the studies, listed wherever applicable:
Anxiety: 900 milligrams of St. John's wort, taken by mouth twice daily for several weeks.
Cancer: 0.05-0.50 milligrams per kilogram of hypericin (one of the active ingredients found in St. John’s Wort), taken by mouth for up to three months.
Mild to moderate Depression: 20-1,800 milligrams St. John's wort taken by mouth once to three times for 4-52 weeks. Work with a naturally-minded physician if taking the higher doses. Many different brands were used in the studies. St. John's wort and hypericin should produce comparable results.
Severe depression: 900-1,800 milligrams of St. John's wort (extracts LI 160 and WS® 5570) taken by mouth daily for 8-12 weeks.
Menopausal symptoms: 300 milligrams St. John's wort (Kira®) taken by mouth three times daily for 12 weeks or 0.4mg hypericin drops (Hyperforat®, which is a synthetic drug. St. John's wort seems to be a comparable, all-natural option.) taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks.
Nerve pain: three 900 microgram hypericin tablets taken by mouth for two treatment periods of five weeks each.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: 450-1,800 milligrams (standardized to 0.3% hypericin) were taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks.
Pain due to burning mouth syndrome: 300 milligram capsules of St. John's wort (containing hypericin 0.31% and hyperforin 3.0%), taken by mouth three times daily for 12 weeks.
PMS: 300-900 milligrams St. John's wort (standardized to 3.38% hyperforin and 0.18% hypericin) or 1,360 micrograms of hypericin taken by mouth daily for two menstrual cycles.
Psoriasis: St. John's wort ointment used two times daily on the skin for four weeks.
Restless Legs Syndrome: New research published in the medical journal Clinics found that you might also want to consider this herb to help with restless leg syndrome.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): 900 milligrams of St. John's wort (LI 160 and Kira®) taken by mouth once to three times daily with or without light therapy for 4-8 weeks. Neither of these brands seems to be commercially available at this time. Perika seems to be a comparable alternative.
Smoking Cessation: 300 milligrams St. John's wort (LI-160 extract) taken by mouth once or twice daily for up to three months and a week.
Wound Healing: 20% St. John's wort in ointment form used on the affected skin three times daily for 16 days. While the Mayo Clinic recommendations include St. John’s Wort in petroleum jelly I don’t recommend using petroleum-derived products on the skin since it can be irritating. Use a natural ointment instead.
Because many drugs interact with the herb it is important to check with your doctor, pharmacist, or natural health provider before taking. Some of the potential side-effects of St. John’s Wort include: photosensitivity when taken within a few hours of direct sunlight exposure, anxiety, headaches, muscle cramps, sweating, weakness, dry mouth, or skin irritation; however, most of these symptoms tend to be infrequent.
To discover more proven natural remedies for depression, anxiety, and other health conditions, check out:
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Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is the international best-selling author of the books The Probiotic Promise, 60 Seconds to Slim, and Weekend Wonder Detox, a registered nutritionist, and a board-certified doctor of natural medicine. Subscribe to my free e-magazine World’s Healthiest News to receive monthly health news, tips, recipes and more. Follow my blog on my sites HealthySurvivalist.com and DrMichelleCook.com, and Twitter @mschoffrocook and Facebook. Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD. Take the FREE WEEKEND WONDER DETOX QUIZ to determine which detox is best for you.
