A valued remedy for nerve pain and trauma to the nervous system, St. John's wort is used for neuralgia, sciatica, fibrositis, back pain, headaches, shingles and rheumatic pain. St. John's wort is also beneficial in the treatment of such disorders as depression, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia and anxiety. The oil of St. John's wort can be applied externally to soothe and heal burns, cuts, wounds, sores, ulcers and calm inflammation. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of St. John's wort are active against TB and influenza A and is being researched for the treatment of AIDS and HIV as well as cancer. As an astringent and antimicrobial agent, St. John's wort has also been found effective in treating gastroenteritis, diarrhea and dysentery. Precautions: St. John's wort can have serious side effects, including high blood pressure, headaches, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and allergic skin reactions like a rash or itching. In addition, St. John's wort may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight when taken with other drugs such as antibiotics or birth control pills and may cause anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symtoms, fatigue, headache and sexual dysfunction. St. John's wort may also interact with some drugs, including antidepressants, cyclosporine (the drug used to prvent the body from rejecting transplanted organs), digoxin, indinavir durgs used to control HIV infection, irinotecan and other drugs used to treat cancer, and warfarin and related anticoagulants. St. John's wort may also interact with amphetamines, asthma inhalants, beer, coffee, wine, chocolate, fava beans, salami, smoked or pickled foods and yogurt as well as cold or hay fever medications, diet pills, narcotics and nasal decongestants. NOTE: These descriptions are provided for information purposes only. Before taking any herb or supplement, it is recommended that you consult your health care professional to ensure it is safe for you to take and will not interact with any medications you may be taking.
