Hypericum

St. John's Wort is a plant with a straight stem that averages 30 centimetres in height but can reach 1 metre. The stem is branched at the top and has a harder, slightly woody consistency at the bottom. The yellow flowers are located at the top of the stem and branches, grouped together. St. John's wort flowers have five petals grouped in a star shape. The flowers are responsible for the benefits and are the part consumed when making St. John's wort tea. The flowering period lasts from June to September, and after harvesting, the flowers are dried in dry, airy places in a thin layer. The leaves are oval in shape.

St. John's wort tea benefits for emotional well-being

The benefits of St. John's wort have been described most in the area of good mental health, due to its calming effect. A meta-analysis (which combines several studies into a single study to draw stronger conclusions) conducted by Ng et al. shows that St. John's wort has benefits in alleviating symptoms caused by mild depression. Some authors describe effects similar to antidepressant medication (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), but to achieve this effect, daily consumption of St. John's wort tea is necessary over a long period of time, on the order of weeks. Thus, St. John's wort tea is said to have benefits during periods of fatigue, stress, agitation, and irritability, as well as during panic attacks or anxiety, having a calming effect.

Some studies also suggest that St. John's wort tea has benefits for sleep quality by stimulating melatonin production.

St. John's wort tea benefits for the digestive system

St. John's wort acts on the digestive system by protecting the gastric mucosa against irritants. By stimulating the production and elimination of bile, it also helps to process fats from food and break them down into substances that can be used by the body. St. John's wort also has benefits for intestinal pain by reducing spasms at this level and normalising them.

St. John's wort tea benefits for premenstrual syndrome

The calming properties of St. John's wort flowers are also useful in treating symptoms caused by premenstrual syndrome (irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, and changes in appetite for processed foods).

St. John's wort tea benefits during menopause

Some authors believe that St. John's wort may be beneficial in reducing hot flushes associated with the onset of menopause.

St. John's wort tea is the most common way to consume St. John's wort and enjoy its benefits. It is best to drink the tea in the evening, after steeping for 10-15 minutes.

There are also fixed combinations that combine St. John's wort with adjuvant trace elements involved in the health of the nervous system, such as magnesium or ginseng.

People undergoing chronic treatment (e.g. for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, chemotherapy, HIV medication, etc.) should consult their doctor before starting long-term use of St. John's wort, as it interacts with a wide range of medications.

Also, taking St. John's wort can make symptoms worse in people with bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, or schizophrenia. In people diagnosed with major depression, taking St. John's wort can cause impulsiveness.

If you are pregnant, it is best to avoid taking St. John's wort, especially in the medium to long term. Some authors claim that it may increase the risk of birth defects.

St. John's wort is not recommended during breastfeeding as it has been reported to cause colic, agitation or drowsiness in babies.