Cool Hot Flashes with St. John's Wort

The popular herbal antidepressant, St. John's wort may help with hot flashes due to menopause, according to a new study from the University of Medical Sciences in Iran.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been studied extensively as a relatively safe and effective antidepressant that can help relieve mild to moderate depression symptoms. It has been widely used in European countries for decades by people who are suffering emotionally.

Now some studies investigating the herb's effects on menopausal symptoms have found a whole new use for this well-researched herb. "Our study suggest that this herbal medicine can be used to treat hot flashes due to menopause, and it is a new finding about the usage of St. John's wort," states Marjan Khajehei, of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran.

Test groups taking St. John's Wort for eight weeks experienced a greater reduction in daily hot flashes than the placebo group. In fact, the average number of hot flashes declined from four a day to less than two a day by week eight. The placebo group experienced on average 2.6 hot flashes per day by the eighth week. The severity and duration of the women's hot flashes who were on St. John's Word were also diminished.

St. John's Wort contains phytoestrogens – estrogen-like plant compounds – that may explain the benefits in menopausal women, explains Khajehei. Further research is required to determine if phytoestrogens are what cause symptoms to ease.

St. John's Wort is considered very safe for men and women. If you're suffering from anxiety, depression or hot flashes, St. John's Wort may be an effective way to treat your symptoms. Avoid exposure to the sun whilst on treatment as St. John's Wort may accelerate burning, especially in fair-skinned people.

Personally, I've used the NOW St. John's Wort 300 mg in the past to help overcome anxiety and depression with great success. It helped me overcome a period of time in my life that was angst-filled and dark. St. John's Wort helped lift my spirits and made the dark days more tolerable. Two thumbs up.