The Benefits of St. John’s Wort - Dr. Pat Nardini, Naturopathic Doctor

This article originally appeared on the blog of Nardini Naturopathic, operated by Dr. Pat Nardini, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto. It has been republished here on Steemit with the full permission of the original source.

Did you know that Ontario is full of herbs and plants with natural healing properties?

It’s true. And a simple walk through the forest can prove it.

One such herb you may find in your travels is St. John’s Wort, a plant with some fantastic health benefits.

Feeling depressed? St. John’s Wort may help.

Experiencing nerve issues? St. John’s Wort may help.

Have some cuts and scrapes? St John’s Wort may help.

But there’s more to St. John’s Wort than just taking it and hoping for the best. Join Dr. Pat Nardini, a Toronto Naturopath, thyroid specialist, and nature lover, on a hike through the forest to discover the benefits of St. John’s Wort, where to find it, and what you need to know before taking it.

TRANSCRIPT:

It’s a beautiful day in Ontario today and I’d like to talk to you about a spectacular herb called St. John’s Wort. A native of Europe and Asia, you can find it here at forest edges and in meadows, where there’s lots of sun.

It gets its name from St John the Baptist whose birthday is on June 24th – that’s when the plant is traditionally believed to flower. You can identify it by its beautiful yellow flowers and it’s see through oil glands under its leaves – these little perforations are reflected in its botanical name, Hypericum perforatum.

This herb has been used medicinally for centuries – traditionally used as an oil to treat cuts, scrapes and other wounds and to repair nerve damage.

It's also used as a homeopathic remedy for nerve related problems.

More recently, scientific research has shown that it is as effective as some anti-depressant drugs for treating depression, with a significantly lower risk of side effects.

There are some cautions to be aware when using St. John’s Wort – it can cause light sensitivity on the skin, so you need to be conscious of not getting too much Sun in the warmer months.

Several medications interact with it and it’s not recommended to be taken while pregnant.

If you’re considering using St. John’s Wort, consult with a qualified health practitioner to find out if it’s right for you and get instructions on correct dosage.

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