PRIMARY USES:

Depression, Anxiety, Pain, Injuries, muscle pain, Car accidents, Herpes

NOTE: 

The fresh flowering tops of St. Johns Wort (top 4-5 inches of the shrub) is thought to be the most effective part of the plant and best way to use it. That is what this product is made from and it comes from a certified biodynamic farm grown at 7,000′ in northern New Mexico.

PROPERTIES:

Anti-Depressant

Sedative (to nerve endings)

Vulnerary (heals tissue)

IINDICATIONS:

St. John’s Wort is indicated for mild to moderate depression. It is safe and can be used long term. It typically can take from 2-4 weeks and even up to 1-3 months for the full benefits to be felt. While the exact mechanism is unknown as to how it works, it is suspected to have action similar to monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. It inhibits serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake. St. John’s Wort increases the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps transmit a neurological response that makes one feel good. St. John’s Wort is a psychotropic herb but is not really a tranquilizer. If St. John’s Wort matches the biochemical reason for the depression, it will work. Otherwise, it will not produce an antidepressant effect and other botanicals or medications should be tried. More so, it lightens mood gently, but is not indicated for severe depression. It combines well with Kava to create a more euphoric state and elevated mood.

At least 23 studies consistently show the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort. Some show it as effective as Prozac, but with less side effects and less cost. St. John’s Wort has also been shown to be more effective than placebo.

If one is on prescription antidepressants and has balanced their mood for a period of time and now wants to get off such medication, St’ John’s Wort is an option. It is safe if taken with other anti-depressants, contrary to popular notions. Since its effect comes on slowly over time, the goal is for those on prescription antidepressants would be to add St. John’s Wort to ones medication routine and take 2-3 times per day. Slowly over time (2-3 months) and only under the advisement and control of a physician, reduce the prescription medication slowly every 1-2 weeks and as long as one maintains balanced mood, continue this pattern until one gets fully off the medication and fully on St. John’s Wort. Again, only a qualified health care professional should monitor and advise such treatment.

This full spectrum extract contains all the naturally occurring active constituents that are thought to make it work (i.e. hypericin alone is not anti-depressant). 21.5 drops of the liquid equals one 300 mg. pill of 3% standardized St. John’s Wort from one HPLC test, but being a full spectrum extract increases efficacy. The veggie cap combined the standardized extract with the full spectrum herb in order to obtain the full benefits of St. John’s Wort.

St. John’s Wort also calms down nerve endings and this is where the same homeopathic indications for mother tincture of Hypericum come from. It is for blows to the peripheral nerves. It has a long history of being used for muscle and neurological pain including fibromyalgia, bursitis, injuries, and athletic injury. It combines well with Skullcap and Valerian for such pain. It also calms down nerve endings to help prevent herpes (cold sores, genital, shingles) from erupting when under stress. It has also been shown to be antiviral (herpes simplex 1 and influenza). It can be used in pregnancy to prevent genital eruptions that results in C-sections.

It also has a long history for healing soft tissue from burns. Use orally and topically in oil form for soft tissue healing. It is a great topical herb for massage therapist use for muscle ache and combines especially well with Arnica Montana. Topical St. John’s Wort along with Arnica, Calendula Flower and Comfrey Leaf has been exceptionally effective in pre and post operative mastectomy to prevent lymphoedema and scar tissue.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS:

May potentiate pharmaceutical MAO-inhibitors. Check with ones doctor to see if St. John’s Wort is appropriate if they are on medications or if severely depressed.

Photo or light sensitivity has been reported in cows that over graze on this plant and very rarely seen in light skinned individuals who take excessive doses.

Hepatocyte treatment with St. John’s Wort resulted in an increase of the cytochrome P450 or CYP3A4 expression. Since this compound is involved in the metabolism of 50% of all drugs, it is suspected that St. John’s Wort may elevate the breakdown of man pharmaceuticals, including birth control pills, Digoxin, the protease inhibitor Indinavir and the anti-seizure drug Tegretol. In reality, it has never been seen or documented that this process occurs and that one has been harmed by concurrent use of St. John’s Wort and those medications.

COMPLIMENTARY FORMULAS & SINGLE HERBS:

St. John’s Tonic/Mood-Aid (depression formula)

St. John’s Wort Oil (topical pain and burns)

Anxiet-Ease (if anxious, stressed)

TASTE:

Slightly astringent

Formula may contain small amounts of herbal precipitate (small particles) due to strength of preparation.