St. John’s Wort
Hypericum Perforatum
When we talk about herbal medicines, it is common to have already heard of certain herbs in the mainstream. Some herbs have been researched more than others and there is so much proof of it’s effectiveness, that it can no longer be denied by the powers that be. St. John’s Wort is a good example of this. There have been so many studies, in fact, that you may find more herbal remedies on regular grocery shelves, such as St. John’s Wort, than you will of other just as potent herbs. Big Business would love to corner the market on such herbs, yet deny others because they are not as well known in the mainstream. That being said, St. John’s Wort is a highly effective remedy with a wide variety of uses.
Depression
One of the most well known uses for St. John’s Wort is for depression. It has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine to boost mood and provide relief from depression. It is suspected that is because of it’s hypercin and hyperforin content and how it increases the level of certain brain chemicals, like serotonin. People with depression often have low levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Happy Plant
Not only is this plant a fantastic ally for depression, but it is also studied for it’s ability to treat Anxiety, symptoms of menopause, PMS, viral infections, seasonal effective disorder, smoking cessation, and more. St. John’s Wort can be used internally and externally. Externally, in a salve or balm, it has shown significant results in treating herpes virus outbreaks and can suppress the virus by taking it internally as well. All of this, along with how absolutely gorgeous this plant shows off in the garden, are all good reasons to Get To Know… St. John’s Wort.