6 Benefits of St. John's Wort

6 Benefits of St. John's Wort

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Although St. John’s wort has multiple health benefits, you should check with a specialist before trying it, especially if you’re going a though any medical treatment.

St. John’s wort has many benefits. You can buy this herb as an infusion, in capsules, or as an oil. Adding it to your diet can help solve or prevent many health problems. It’s important to check with a doctor before trying it, especially if you’re taking any special medication or have a medical condition.

Although St. John’s wort is a natural product, it can have side effects if taken with certain drugs. However, this is quite rare.

Benefits of St. John’s Wort

In this article, you can read about the 6 benefits of St. John’s wort. This herb can improve your health significantly, thus helping you enjoy a better quality of life.

  1. It’s an antidepressant

Many professionals may recommend using this herb to treat depression. In some cases, it can even help relieve stress and anxiety. However, you must take your doctor’s advice into consideration.

depressed woman

If you’re suffering from depression or anxiety, it’s very likely that you’ll need a drug to help manage your depression. Although this herb is natural, you must follow the proper amount prescribed by your doctor.

  1. Useful during menopause

Likewise, there is a risk of suffering from depression during menopause. Fortunately, St. John’s wort can help with the symptoms of menopause, such as mood swings, anxiety, hot flashes…

However, it can be taken before menopause to alleviate some of the body’s natural course, including premenstrual syndrome. This means that this herb is suitable for women of all ages. Additionally, it helps relieve period pain.

  1. Good for migraines

Many people get migraines. Migraines are very intense headaches that are often accompanied by nausea and dizziness that can last up to 3 days. Many people have to seek medical attention due to these headaches because not even medicine alleviates their pain.

The good news is that St. John’s wort also is good at treating migraines and headaches. It’s a natural choice for people who have severe pain.

  1. Keeps hormones balanced

Another benefit of St. John’s wort is that it keeps hormones balanced. For example, people who have thyroid conditions always have to monitor their hormone levels. Taking St. John’s wort can offer many positive benefits.

St. John’s wort will not only help you have normal thyroid hormone production but it will also reduce symptoms such as menstrual cycle changes, cramps, extreme tiredness, apathy, among others.

thyroid problems
  1. Helps overcome addictions

Have you tried everything to quit smoking? Are you addicted to alcohol? Do you overeat? St. John’s wort also helps overcome addictions. People should take it during withdrawal periods to control cravings and anxiety, which in turn helps increase their willpower in order to prevent a relapse from occurring.

  1. Treats skin problems

St. John’s wort is also perfect for treating skin problems. Its useful for the following medical skin problems:

  • Dermatitis
  • Chafing
  • Burns
  • Allergies

This herb stimulates blood circulation (it can also help with circulation problems), which accelerates the skin’s healing process. It can help you a lot if you have eczema, atopic skin, or other skin conditions.

Have you ever tried St. John’s wort? Do you have any of the previously mentioned problems? Would like to try it out? Before doing so, you should check with your doctor. St. John’s wort can benefit your health in many ways. Feel free to share your experiences with us if you’ve already tried it.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Ng, Q. X., Venkatanarayanan, N., & Ho, C. Y. X. (2017). Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048
  • Apaydin, E. A., Maher, A. R., Shanman, R., Booth, M. S., Miles, J. N. V., Sorbero, M. E., & Hempel, S. (2016). A systematic review of St. John’s wort for major depressive disorder. Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0325-2
  • Yücel, A., Kan, Y., Yesilada, E., & Akın, O. (2017). Effect of St.John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) oily extract for the care and treatment of pressure sores; a case report. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.030
  • Becker, S. P., Luebbe, A. M., Greening, L., Fite, P. J., & Stoppelbein, L. (2017). A Preliminary Investigation of the Relation Between Thyroid Functioning and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Children. Journal of Attention Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054712466917
  • Hisil, Y., Sahin, F., & Omay, S. B. (2005). Composition of Hypericum perforatum L. and its medical importance. UHOD, Uluslararasi Hematoloji-Onkoloji Dergisi.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.