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St. John's Wort

Parts Used - Flowering tops and leaves

Common Uses
	Helps to alleviate depression. It has become the most popular natural remedy for mild to moderate depression, having fewer side effects than commonly prescribed drugs. Widely used in Europe for the treatment of mild to moderate depression
	Helps to reduce anxiety, nervous tension and irritability
	Helps to relieve emotional upsets and nervous tensions associated with menopause and premenstrual syndrome.
	Applied externally in a cream or lotion it can reduce localized nerve pains, such as sciatica, myalgia, sprains, bruises, cramps and the pain from breast engorgement during lactation.
	Applied externally as an oil it can help relieve burns, and muscle and joint inflammation.

Side Effects
Sun-sensitivity can occur in some individuals, particularly those with fair skin.

Safety Issues
No contraindications and no interactions with other drugs are known at this time.

History of St. Johns Wort
St. John's Wort is a shrubby perennial with bright yellow star-shaped flowers which bloom in mid-summer. It grows wild in wooded and shady areas, and on chalky grassland.

St John's Wort has been valued for it's medicinal properties for thousands of years. It was long associated with dispelling evil spirits and was often given to the insane. It was also taken into battle by the ancient Greeks and Romans as well as the Crusaders. The soldiers used the plant to treat wounds and burns. The name, in fact, is thought to come from the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who fought in the Crusades.