St. John's wort essence

What is St. John's wort essence for dogs?

St. John's wort essence for dogs is a liquid extract made from the flowers and leaves of the St. John's wort plant (Hypericum perforatum). The plant is primarily known for its mood-enhancing and calming effect, which is due to the ingredients hypericin, hyperforin and flavonoids. These substances can influence the release of messenger substances such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain and thus improve the mood and well-being of dogs.

However, St. John's wort essence for dogs can not only help with psychological complaints such as anxiety, stress or depression, but also with physical problems such as pain, inflammation or infections. This is because St. John's wort also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can strengthen the immune system and promote healing.

How do you use St. John's wort essence for dogs correctly?

St. John's wort essence for dogs is available in various concentrations and dosage forms. For example, you can buy it as drops, capsules or tablets. The correct dosage depends on the size and weight of your dog, but also on the type of product and the reason for use. In general, the higher the concentration of the extract, the smaller the amount required.

As a rule of thumb, you can use the following information as a guide:

• For dry extracts with a hypericin content of 0.3%, you can administer 2 to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
• For liquid extracts with a hypericin content of 0.1%, you can administer 6 to 12 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
• For liquid extracts with a hypericin content of 0.3%, you can administer 2 to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.

You should always mix the St. John's wort essence with your dog's food or drinking water so that it is better absorbed. You should also start slowly and gradually increase the dose to avoid possible side effects. St. John's wort does not take effect immediately, but only after a few weeks. You should therefore be patient and monitor your dog regularly.

What are the benefits of St. John's wort essence for dogs?

St. John's wort essence for dogs can help your four-legged friend in various situations. Here are some of the main benefits:

• It can improve your dog's mood and help them to be more calm and cheerful.
• It can reduce anxiety, for example about fireworks, thunderstorms or visits to the vet.
• It can reduce stress, for example when your dog is alone, moves house or loses a conspecific.
• It can alleviate depression, for example in cases of sadness or boredom.
• It can alleviate pain, for example in cases of osteoarthritis, muscle tension or injuries.
• It can inhibit inflammation, for example in the case of skin problems, allergies or inflammation of the gums.
• It can fight infections, for example in the case of wounds, fungi or bacteria.
• It can strengthen the immune system and increase the body's defenses.

What are the disadvantages of St. John's wort essence for dogs?

Although St. John's wort essence for dogs is a natural remedy, it is not without risks. Here are some of the possible disadvantages:

• It can cause side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite or fatigue, especially in overdosed or sensitive dogs.
• It can interfere with the effects of other medications, such as antidepressants, antibiotics or painkillers. You should therefore always inform your vet if you give your dog St. John's wort.
• It can increase your dog's sensitivity to light and lead to sunburn or skin rashes. You should therefore protect your dog from direct sunlight when giving him St. John's wort.
• It may interact with other herbs or supplements, for example valerian, camomile or lemon balm. You should therefore always pay attention to what else you feed your dog when you give it St. John's wort.