St. John's wort: its antidepressant properties and how to do it
The Hypericum is a medicinal plant known scientifically with the name of Hypericum perforatum, which belongs to the family Hypericaceae (a family that has about 560 species, spread over a total of 9 genera and that extends from the different temperate regions to the tropics).
Its collection tends to take especially during the flowering season. And, precisely, so that they do not lose their different benefits and medicinal properties, it is best to let them dry quickly. In addition, it is a plant also known by the name of Grass of San Juan.
The St. John's Wort becomes one of the natural antidepressants best known, which helps to treat and cure depression thanks to its content in hypericin.
The antidepressant benefits of St. John's wort
The hypericin It is one of the active ingredients with the highest value found in the St. John's wort. And, precisely, thanks to this compound it becomes one of the most interesting medicinal plants in the natural treatment of depression.
Hypericin is able to inhibit the production of monoamine oxidase (MAO), a body enzyme that is closely related to depression, which metabolizes monoamines (such as dopamine or serotonin).
Several studies have found that, when the patient suffers from depression, the levels of this enzyme are diminished.
In this sense, hypericin acts by blocking the action of this enzyme, hence its use in antidepressant drugs and in home remedies for depression is interesting. In addition, it acts by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, causing it to remain in the brain for longer.
It is interesting from a medicinal and therapeutic point of view because, in addition to helping in the treatment of depression itself by slowing down the production of monoamine oxidase and increasing the sensation of psychological well-being, it does not contain the side effects that antidepressants of origin chemical.
We can enjoy the benefits of St. John's wort for depression in two ways: through infusion of hypericum (easy to make), or from extracts in drops or tablets.
How to make hypericum tea
A simple and easy option to enjoy its main benefits is to make a delicious St. John's wort tea. Do you dare to elaborate it with us? The recipe that we indicate below is for the equivalent of a cup of water.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried leaves and flowers of St John's wort
- 1 cup of water
Preparation of St. John's wort tea:
- Boil the equivalent of a cup of water in a saucepan.
- When it enters boiling add the St John's Wort and leave boiling 2 minutes.
- When this time passes, turn off the heat, cover and let rest for 3 minutes.
- Straighten and drink.
You can drink two to three cups a day of St. John's wort, until the symptoms of depression subside. This infusion can sweeten it to taste, either with honey or sugar.
When is it not appropriate to drink hypericum tea? Its main contraindications
The consumption of St. John's wort is not recommended if you are taking drugs or medications for depression (antidepressants), since as it has been possible to confirm, St John's wort is capable of stimulating the metabolism of most drugs for depression, so that these tend to lose their effect because they are inactivated.
Therefore, although it is a medicinal plant with interesting benefits against depression and anxiety, its use is not recommended when medical treatment based on antidepressant drugs is being followed. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesTea
