Some days can be more complex than others due to various areas that are part of a person’s world such as work, study, family, friends, love, among others. If you wake up one day and notice that your mood has declined, it is likely that your mind is filled with negative thoughts about the present and the future and an unwillingness to carry out daily activities. Faced with this hopelessness, the most common thing is that concern appears and we try to find solutions, including the use of medicinal plants that act on the body and produce changes in our emotions, thoughts and behaviors. In some mild cases, natural remedies can prevent the person from resorting to drugs that have possible side effects.
In this PsychologyFor article we will provide you with information about how to take St. John’s Wort for depression.
St. John’s wort is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of clinical depression. For this reason, it is possible to consider it a natural antidepressant that reduces the effects of this clinical condition and some doctors may include it in the treatment plan to reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
Some of the main properties of St. John’s Wort are:
Acts as a relaxant of the central nervous system.
Reduces insomnia.
Helps combat stress.
Works like mood stabilizer.
Collaborates in the healing of body wounds.
Reduces the characteristic symptoms of digestive problems such as gastritis.
Relieves headaches product of nervous tension.
What dose of St. John’s Wort to take for depression
Although it is true that each person may have a tolerance that varies according to their characteristics, it is possible to establish a logical criterion regarding the quantities that are supplied. In general terms, the recommended dose ranges between 0.5 and 1 milligrams daily for a period of time that ranges between four and eight weeks.
However, it is advisable to correctly administer this amount so that St. John’s Wort has beneficial effects on the body and, if necessary, gradually increase the dose indicated for each person in order to avoid harmful adverse effects.
How long can you take St. John’s Wort for depression?
In order to avoid harmful effects on the body, it is important to take into account the maximum duration that we can take this natural antidepressant. As we have mentioned before, The advisable limit is eight consecutive weeks.
However, it is necessary to corroborate the side effects that could be present if there is an excess in the intake of this plant. In the event that any inconvenience occurs after the administration of St. John’s wort, it is essential that the person be evaluated by a health professional in order to establish an adequate diagnosis of the problem to be treated.
Is taking St. John’s Wort effective for depression?
To know if St. John’s wort is effective for depression, it is necessary to make some distinctions. First of all, the type of depression you want to treat must be taken into account, since its severity can vary depending on the person. In this sense, the hypericum can be effective in the treatment of mild symptoms and moderate of depressive symptoms, since the changes it causes in the human body can counteract the most common symptoms.
However, it has been shown that St. John’s Wort does not have the same effectiveness in addressing severe depression that involve suicide attempts, eating disorders, organic diseases and/or presence of other mental health disorders.
Faced with this type of manifestations, it is essential that the person be treated by mental health professionals who work in an interdisciplinary manner. This will enable a comprehensive look at the patient’s particular situation. If you want to know more about this aspect, in the following article you will find What is the best medication for depression.
If you want to try for yourself the effects of this natural remedy on the body, here we leave you a good option of St. John’s wort in capsules, although you can also find it in other formats.
Buy St. John’s Wort capsules ⧉
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to take St. John’s Wort for depression we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.
Bibliography
Buendia Sánchez, E. (2000). St. John’s wort in the treatment of depression. Phytotherapy Magazine, 1 (1), 37-42.
Cantero Paris, C. (2018). Evidence of the clinical usefulness of St. John’s Wort. University of Cantabria, Faculty of Medicine.
