Francois Couplan, Ph.D.
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 A maceration of the flowering tops in olive oil is an excellent vulnerary (wounds, burns, ulcers) and anodyne (rheumatism pains). st. john's wort Hypericum perforatum oil has a deep red color.
The plant is astringent, calmative, stomachic and expectorant.
It also contains a fluorescent substance, hypericin, with photosensitizing properties which, in susceptible individuals, can produce skin inflammation upon exposure to strong sunlight. White-skinned cattle, horses and sheep grazing on the plant in large quantities are subject to loss of hair and blistering when exposed to the sun. |
| The European st. john's wort has been used since Antiquity. It was said to ha\ z magical virtues for keeping evil spirits away.
^ few local species are eaten cooked in Northeastern Asia.
Endangered species: H. cumulicola - Fla. raw
Mammea americana (B 5) Mamey Apple
"rom the West Indian name of the fruit, "mamey."
Originally from tropical Am. naturalized in S. Fla. & Mex.
The tree is cultivated for its fruit in the tropics of both hemispheres.
The large fruit has a sweet, aromatic, apricot-colored pulp which is edible n tropical America it is made into jam or fermented into wine. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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 While canker sores don't seem to be caused by viruses, st. john's wort can help prevent viruses from worming their way into your system through a canker sore, he says.
Use the herbal combination as recommended above until your symptoms are greatly reduced, then once daily for about one more week.
Echinacea, Calendula, Oats, Burdock, and Lomatium
Combine equal parts of these tinctures and take V2 teaspoon four or five times a day. This blend of herbal tinctures helps heal cankers by goosing the immune system, moving toxins out of the body, and killing viruses and bacteria, says Sherr. |
| The best st. john's wort oil is bright red, Dr. Stansbury says.
Boswellia
Stop pain with 400 to 500 milligrams of boswellia three times a day. This extract from the frankincense tree can relieve pain from chronic inflammatory conditions like bursitis and tendinitis without causing unwanted side effects, says C. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph.D., a nutrition consultant and herbal researcher based in Clovery, Maryland.
Research suggests that certain chemicals produced in this tree prevent the production of chemicals in our bodies that start the pain process. |
| I've had patients tell me that they fell off a bike and knew they'd have a bruise, so they went home and put st. john's wort oil on the area," says Dr. Bongiovanni. "The next day, they had either no bruise or just a very slight discoloration." Make sure that you apply the oil only to unbroken or unscratched skin.
Comfrey
Wrap a poultice around the bruised area. "This one's great for those goose-egg-producing mountain bike spills," says Rena Bloom, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Denver. |
| Make a blended tincture with 2 tablespoons of passionflower, 2 tablespoons of skullcap, 1 tablespoon of oats, and l/i tablespoon of st. john's wort. Measure your dose into a small juice glass and dilute it with water or orange juice to make it more palatable. Use this remedy until your rash heals.
Premenstrual Syndrome io understand exactly how herbs can be used to curb the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it helps to turn back the clock. Not to ancient times, when herbs were considered conventional medicine. |
| To make the salve, place J4 cup each of dried plantain, st. john's wort flowers, Oregon grape root, and comfrey in a slow cooker and cover with olive oil. Let the oil warm over very low heat, checking to be sure that it doesn't burn, for 1 to 6 hours. You'll know it's ready when the oil has picked up some of the color from the herbs.
Remove the herbs from the oil by carefully straining the mixture through a piece of cheesecloth, gently squeeze the remaining oil from the herbs, and discard the herbs. For every cup of oil, add 1 ounce of grated beeswax and stir until melted. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Some herbs have effects similar to those of antidepressant drugs, without drug side effects. st. john's wort is widely used in Europe for this purpose, and double-blind studies have supported this herb's antidepressant effect. People have also had success with valerian, skullcap, hops, passionflower, Chinese schizandra berry, wild oats, and calamus root.
Light therapy can aid in the mild depression associated with the winter season.
The homeopathic remedies aurum metallicum, ignatia, natrum muriaticum, sepia, and pulsatilla are used for cases of acute, temporary depression. |
| Clinical double-blind, placebo-controlled studies exist to support the efficacy of st. john's wort. Also consider valerian, skullcap, hops, kava kava root, passionflower, Chinese schizandra berry, wild oats, and calamus root.
Light Therapy
According to Dr. Michael Norden, author of Beyond Prozac, light therapy has shown positive results in overcoming mild depression associated with the winter season (called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD). The body chemistry of many individuals is thrown off by the decrease in the amount of daylight during this time. |
| Similarly, the herb st. john's wort appears to be effective for mild to moderate depression but there's no evidence it works for weight loss. Chiropractic can relieve acute low back pain but may do nothing for asthma. When you hear that a treatment is "clinically proven," be sure to ask, "For what?"
•Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it's safe. Arsenic and botulism toxin are 100% natural, but they happen to be deadly. That said, many natural approaches such as herbal medicines may indeed offer a less toxic way to treat certain conditions. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Ibatov, [The Use of an Infusion of st. john's wort in the Combined Treatment of Alcoholics with Peptic Ulcer and Chronic Gastritis], Vrach Delo, (2-3), February-March 1993, p. 146-148.
Depression
Results of this meta-analysis involving 23 randomized studies, 15 of which were placebo-controlled, found that hypericum extacts proved significantly effective in the treatment of patients suffering from moderate to mildly severe depression.
—K. Linde, et al. |
Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D.
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| I have witnessed LSD flashbacks produced via st. john's wort and seen panic and anxiety increase at significant enough amounts from this herb to lead someone to be prescribed an SSRI - leading to additional horrors. Because of this I warn against the use of these products - especially for anyone who has had their ability to metabolize serotonin impaired via the use of serotonergic medications. L-TRYPTOPHAN: The same concern would apply to L-tryptophan. Anything that increases serotonin should be avoided. WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS are additional concerns. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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 Many studies have shown that st. john's wort has noteworthy calming and antidepressant effects. It can be very helpful for anxiety accompanied by depression. Choose a product containing 0.3 percent hypericin and take 100 milligrams two to three times daily. Take the second dose at least six or seven hours before bedtime. Taking a dose of kava kava in the evening is good for easing anxiety and aiding sleep.
¦ Valerian is a strong calmative that is useful for the physical manifestations of anxiety. Studies show it is also helpful for insomnia. Select a product containing 0. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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 Hobbs C: st. john's wort, Hypericum perforatum L. HerbalGram 18/19, 24-33,1989.
3. Suzuki O, et «/. inhibition of monoamine oxidase by hypericin. Planta Medica 50, 272-274,1984.
4. Holzl J, Demisch L, and Gollnik B: Investigations about antidepressive and mood changing effects of Hypericum perforatum. Planta Medica 55, 643,1989.
5. Okpanyi VSN and Weischer ML: Tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen zur psychotropen Wirksamkeit eines Hypericum-extraktes. Arzneimittel-Forsch 37,10-13,1987.
6. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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| Take 50 milligrams of either three times daily.
¦ st. john's wort has antiviral as well as antidepressant effects. Choose a standardized extract containing 0.3-percent hypericin and take 300 milligrams twice a day.
¦ If CMV is accompanied by liver dysfunction, as demonstrated by blood tests, milk thistle can help. This herb actually helps the liver to repair itself. Choose a standardized extract containing 80 percent flavonoids (silymarin) and take 100 to 200 milligrams two or three times daily.
¦ If you are having difficulty sleeping or experiencing muscle spasms, try passionflower. |
Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
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 Many plants, like shepherd's purse, chickweed and st. john's wort should be used fresh. Other plants can also be used fresh, but the dried form is adequate, just not quite as good as the fresh. In these cases, the fresh plant is made into a liquid extract and the dried plant is added to the extract to make it stronger. Although the dried plant may not have all the qualities desired, as long as it has enough useful attributes, the addition will increase the strength of the fresh plant extract significantly. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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| Take 250 milligrams of standardized extract two or three times daily.
¦ st. john's wort is helpful for chronic fatigue accompanied by depression. Select a product containing 0.3 percent hypericin and take 300 milligrams three times daily.
¦ Siberian ginseng increases the body's resistance to stress, fatigue, and disease. It also has been shown to increase mental alertness, and possesses strong antioxidant properties. Choose a standardized extract containing 0.5 percent eleutheroside E and take 100 to 200 milligrams twice daily, in the morning and again in the afternoon. |
Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
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| John's wort appears to inhibit serotonin uptake and combining serotonin uptake inhibitors with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors can cause dangerous rises in blood pressure, until more information is available it would be unwise to combine st. john's wort with MAO inhibitors.
Sarsaparilla -
Smilax officinalis (other spP.) in the Liliaceae or Lily family. Part used: Root. Taste/smell: Soapy. Tendencies: Drying.
Dosage: Decoction: 1-2 teaspoons per cup of water; or 1:4 dry strength liquid extract: 10-40 drops 1-4 times per day.
Use: (a) Alterative, (b) Diuretic, (c) Diaphoretic, (d) Emetic. |
Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A.
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 Since there are several compounds within st. john's wort extract, it has been difficult to study the precise way this herb works in relieving depression. Perhaps the combination of compounds has a synergistic therapeutic value, while individual ingredients would, on their own, have little effect. However, one can surmise that some of the ways this herb works is by influencing levels of chemicals within the brain, specifically dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
In a study done on rats, hypericum extract caused a 50 percent inhibition of serotonin uptake by rat brain cells. |
Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
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| HEMORRHOID & VARICOSE VEIN SALVE
Yarrow Witch hazel st. john's wort Butcher's broom Comfrey Vitamin E Vitamin A Virgin olive oil Beeswax
Actions:
Achillea millefolium Hamamelis virginiana Hypericum perforatum Ruscus aculeatus Symphytum officinalis
20-30% 10-20% 20-30% 10-20% 20-30%
The salve has a soothing and astringent action and decreases inflammation and irritation of hemorrhoids and other varicosities.
Indications:
This formula is used externally on varicose veins of the legs, stomach, and vaginal labia. It is very successful with hemorrhoids. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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| This study compared the antidepressive-anxiolytic effects of a Valerian root and st. john's wort extract to amitriptyline. Results showed the herbal extract to be equally as effective as the amitriptyhne, prompting the authors to argue for the use of phytomedicines in treating the depression and mood disorders.
—K.O. Hiller & V. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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| If you have high blood pressure, omit the licorice entirely.
¦ st. john's wort relaxes the nervous system and combats depression. Choose a product containing 0.3 percent hypericin and take 300 milligrams three times daily.
HOMEOPATHY
It is best to treat colitis by seeing a homeopathic physican for a constitutional remedy. However, the following remedies may provide symptomatic relief. Select the remedy that most closely fits your symptoms.
¦ Arsenicum album is the remedy for an acute attack with burning pain in the abdomen, possibly accompanied by vomiting. |
Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A.
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| John's Wort (hypericum perforatum)
Farmers have long considered st. john's wort a nuisance plant because of its photosensitizing effect on cattle. Nevertheless, humans have used it for centuries for a wide variety of ailments, including nervous disorders, depression, neuralgia, wounds, burns, kidney problems, and for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions.
Hypericum contains numerous biologically active constituents, including hypericin and its derivatives, hyperforin, flavonoids, catachin, and others. Since there are several compounds within St. |
| For other anxiety disorders such as traveling, I have used an herbal combination containing valarian, chamomile, kava kava, and st. john's wort. This herbal combination has been safe and effective in dogs and cats.
Chamomile
Chamomile is frequendy used as a mild sedative to calm the nerves, reduce anxiety, and induce a state of relaxation without disruption of normal function or interfering with motor coordination. It has also been used to calm upset stomachs and ease digestion. |
| At times, mood-altering herbs such as kava kava, valerian root, and st. john's wort may be used for their calming effects. In humans, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules have shown to reduce colonic spasm and pain.12 Peppermint oil capsules appear to have a relaxing and soothing effect on the intestines and thus quell spasm and pain.
CONSTIPATION
Some people define constipation as colonic retention of feces, caused by absent, infrequent, or difficult defecation. Constipated patients have excessive straining; hard, dry stools; abdominal pain; bloating; and incomplete evacuation of feces. |
Gale Maleskey
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 Studies show that st. john's wort is just as effective for mild to moderate depression as the widely prescribed antidepressant drugs imipramine (Tofranil), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil), says Dr. Shealy.
While it's not understood exactly how the herb increases serotonin levels, researchers speculate that the underlying mechanism is probably similar to that of the prescription drugs, says Dr. Brett. St. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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| Take 500 milligrams twice a day.
¦ st. john's wort is an herbal calmative that is especially helpful for TMJ syndrome accompanied by depression. Choose a standardized extract containing 0.3 percent hypericin and take 200 to 300 milligrams three times daily.
¦ Valerian, passionflower, and skullcap help to strengthen and relax the nervous system, and are known for their ability to promote restful sleep. |
Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
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| Burns:
• General All Purpose Salve
• st. john's wort Oil
• Skin Spray for Boo Boos
Note: Oily items, like salves and oils, should only be used when the initial heat of the burn has dissipated.
Cancer:
Note: See Tumors.
Candida:
• Antifungal/Candida Formula
Canker sores:
• Canker Sore Formula
Carpal tunnel syndrome:
• Alternating hydrotherapy treatments
• Arnica Oil Trauma Compound
• St. |
National Women's Health Network
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 Black cohosh, chaste-tree berry, dong quai, ginkgo, ginseng, kava, licorice, red clover, and st. john's wort are among the most popular.
Unfortunately, clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of these herbs are lacking, even though some of them have powerful hormone-like effects.
Here are the most commonly used herbs—and what we know about them so far.
Black Cohosh (Cimicifugd racemosd)
The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of black cohosh contain alkaloids, including N-methylcytisine, terpenoids, cimicifugin, salicylic acid, and tannins. |
Andrew L. Stoll
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 Although some practitioners recommend mixing st. john's wort with SSRIs to enhance the antidepressant effects or to reduce sexual side effects of the SSRIs, there have been a few reports of serotonin syndrome with this mixture. This chart is for informational use only. Contact your health-care provider for questions and concerns. |
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