How to Take St. John's Wort for Health
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is also known as Tipton's weed, Klamath weed and goat weed. It is a shrub with clusters of yellow flower. It is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of St. John's wort. It was used medicinally in ancient Greece primarily to treat nervous conditions, wounds and burns. More recently, it has been used to treat depression and is one of the most commonly used herbs in the United States.
2
Look at the results of modern scientific testing. Studies have shown St. John's wort to be effective for treating mild to moderate depression, but many of these have been strongly criticized. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not allow claims to be made about its safety and effectiveness.
3
Study the FDA's public health advisory against using St. John's wort with any drug using the cytochrome P450 pathway. This includes certain cancer treatments, immuno-suppressive drugs and oral contraceptives. A health care professional should always be consulted before using St. John's wort.
4
Consider the side effects of St. John's wort. They are generally mild in common dosages and include dizziness, dry mouth, rashes and stomach upset. In rare cases, it can make the skin more sensitive to light.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage. Capsules are usually standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin extract and given in 300 to 500 mg amounts three times per day.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068090_take-saint-johns-wart-health.html
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is also known as Tipton's weed, Klamath weed and goat weed. It is a shrub with clusters of yellow flower. It is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of St. John's wort. It was used medicinally in ancient Greece primarily to treat nervous conditions, wounds and burns. More recently, it has been used to treat depression and is one of the most commonly used herbs in the United States.
2
Look at the results of modern scientific testing. Studies have shown St. John's wort to be effective for treating mild to moderate depression, but many of these have been strongly criticized. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not allow claims to be made about its safety and effectiveness.
3
Study the FDA's public health advisory against using St. John's wort with any drug using the cytochrome P450 pathway. This includes certain cancer treatments, immuno-suppressive drugs and oral contraceptives. A health care professional should always be consulted before using St. John's wort.
4
Consider the side effects of St. John's wort. They are generally mild in common dosages and include dizziness, dry mouth, rashes and stomach upset. In rare cases, it can make the skin more sensitive to light.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage. Capsules are usually standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin extract and given in 300 to 500 mg amounts three times per day.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068090_take-saint-johns-wart-health.html
