The Potential Benefits of Saint John's Wort

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St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a good-looking, perennial herb that has numerous potential health benefits, and like many herbs it has a long history of medicinal use. However, in more recent times it has been highlighted for it's use in helping to treat depression, probably due to the combination of the high prevalence of depression within some societies, coupled with people's growing interest in a return to the ancient practice of using plants to assist with natural healing.

Here are some of the potential benefits of St. John's Wort and some disorders that it may help to ameliorate:

• Depression
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Nerve and muscle pain
• Sciatica
• Shingles
• Promotes anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity
• Anti-viral and anti-bacterial
• Healing of injuries and wounds
• Reduction of alcohol dependency
• DNA repair and anti-cancer activity
• Reduction of the negative effects of stress on brain function

It is important to note that there can be possible interactions between St. John's Wort and some pharmaceutical medications, so if you are taking any form of prescription medication it is important to discuss this with your doctor before using St. John's Wort.

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