| Most smokers find it difficult to quit smoking when | | | | of hypericin, the active ingredient, to make |
| withdrawal symptoms set in. Failure to overcome the | | | | over-the-counter St John's Wort supplements. They |
| withdrawal symptoms lead many smokers into | | | | come in different forms such as oil, tincture, and |
| relapse. If you want a natural remedy for these | | | | capsule. You can easily buy them from drug stores, |
| symptoms, you can consider St John's Wort. | | | | grocery stores, health shops, and pharmacies. |
| In Europe, doctors treat people who suffer from | | | | Many people assume St John's Wort does not |
| depression and anxiety with St John's Wort which | | | | produce side effects because of its natural and |
| comforts them. In scientific terms, St John's Wort | | | | herbal properties. However, reports reveal side |
| refers to hypercium perforatum. It acts as an | | | | effects in isolated cases. For example, it causes |
| alternative remedy for commercial drugs such as | | | | nerve damage or cataract when you expose yourself |
| Prozac. Studies show the effectiveness of St John's | | | | to too much sunlight. So, avoid exposure to sunshine, |
| Wort in easing the symptoms of mild-to-moderate | | | | tanning rays, and tanning salons. Wear sunglasses |
| depression. In major depression cases, however, St | | | | when going out in the daytime especially under |
| John's Wort yields poor results. | | | | strong sunlight conditions. Studies caution consumers |
| Until today, no scientific studies can claim St John's | | | | to be careful with the dosages. You should only take |
| Wort as an aid in quit smoking programs. The only | | | | 300mg of standardized St John's Wort either once or |
| recent study was conducted by Roswell Park Cancer | | | | twice daily. Read the warning labels on the bottles. |
| Institute. Although the results of the pilot study | | | | This potent herb also interferes with other |
| appear to be encouraging, more clinical studies are | | | | medications. You should not take St John's Wort |
| needed to support the effectiveness of St John's | | | | during: |
| Wort in treating nicotine addictions. So, this herb still | | | | 1. Pregnancy |
| remains as an unapproved or unlicensed herbal | | | | 2. Consumption of other anti-depressant drugs, |
| remedy for smoking cessation. | | | | contraceptive pills, and blood-thinning drugs |
| Nicotine helps smokers overcome depression by | | | | Start taking St John's Wort the week before your |
| increasing the levels of dopamine, a body chemical | | | | designated quit day. Even though clinical studies to |
| which induces a happy mood. When you give up | | | | support the effectiveness of this herb in smoking |
| smoking, your brain adjusts to changes in dopamine. | | | | cessation is insufficient, you can consider this herb as |
| During this transition period, your body undergoes | | | | an option. Instead of taking prescribed drugs, St |
| withdrawal symptoms as absence of nicotine causes | | | | John's Wort is safer and costs less. Many people take |
| the dopamine levels to drop. St. John's Wort | | | | it without their doctors' advice. However, consult |
| increases levels of dopamine to counteract your | | | | your doctor first if you plan to use this herb to kick |
| cravings to smoke cigarettes. | | | | your smoking habit. |
| Pharmaceutical companies use a standardized extract | | | | |