It is mood-uplifting and nerve-calming, but should not be taken with pharmaceutical antidepressants or antianxiety medications. Through its bitterness, it aids digestion and supports liver health, especially when the problems are emotionally based. It provides some pain relief, used either topically or internally. If, applied topically, avoid sun exposure to the area, because it can cause skin irritation (photosensitivity). St. John’s Wort can relax muscle tension and soothe nerve irritation.

Contradictions

Use caution in pregnancy. Do not use it on the skin if you are going out into the sun because it photosynthesizes. Do not take simultaneously with antidepressant medications. Caution is recommended with many medications as this herb helps to improve liver function; the liver's function is to cleanse impurities/toxins from the body and by improving its function the body may process medications differently. In the past, we have heard stories of St. John's Wort affecting many types of medications including birth control.