3 Things To Know About Using St. Johns Wort For Anxiety

40 million U.S. adults suffer from some type of anxiety disorder, and many of these individuals take medications to help them feel better. If you are opposed to taking medication to help your anxiety issues, you may want to look for an herbal supplement instead. There are many different types you could choose from, but St. John's Wort is one that many people use for this purpose. Here are several things you should know if you want to begin taking St. John's Wort to relieve your anxiety symptoms.

Is it effective?

According to at least 30 studies conducted on this subject, St. John's Wort seems to offer effective results for treating some forms of anxiety and depression. It may not offer great results to you if you have extremely serious symptoms and problems with your anxiety, but it is a good solution for anyone who suffers from mild symptoms.

While researchers are not completely certain how this supplement works, they believe it helps your brain produce serotonin. is often referred to as the "feel good" hormone. One of the best ways to treat anxiety is by boosting the production of this important chemical in your brain.

What dosage should you use?

When you begin taking this supplement, you may want to start by taking 300 milligrams once a day. After a few weeks, you could increase this to taking 300 milligrams several times each day. This is typically enough to see positive results; however, you may be able to take more over time as your body gets accustomed to it. 

Is there anything you should know before taking this supplement?

There are several things you should realize if you want to begin taking St. John's Wort to treat your anxiety. The main thing is that it may have negative interactions with other medications you are currently taking. If you are not currently on any medications, you should have no problems. One medication it can interact with is birth control pills. Taking St. John's Wort might reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pills, which is an important thing to know if you are taking these.

If you are not sure if you should try St. John's Wort for your anxiety, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may be able to give you more information about this particular supplement, and he or she might offer other natural forms of treatment for anxiety. One option suggested might be counseling services to help you understand why you feel the way you do. Click here for more information.

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