St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - Botanical Medicines
St. John's Wort ( Hypericum perforatum )
According to Weiner's Herbal , St. John's wort is a perennnial plant with regular flowers that has been used for centuries for a wide variety of ailments, including nervous disorders, depression, neuralgia, wounds and burns, kidney problems, and for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory actions. Recently attention has focused on the herb's two main active ingredients, hypericin and pseudohypericin, which have been shown to inhibit the AIDS virus.
Safety Tips for Using Botanical Herbs
Before using any botanical herb, first consult with your physician or herbalist. Dr. Andrew Weil offers the following guidelines:
- Do not use botanical medicines for infants or children without guidance from a doctor.
- Do not use medicinal herbs unless you know enough to use them safely.
- Discontinue use of any botanical product to which you have an adverse reaction.
- Do not take herbal medicines unless you need them.
- Experiment with herbal remedies conscientiously.
- Loose herbs sold in bulk are likely to be useless.
According to Christopher Hobb's 1984 HerbalGram entitled “St. John's,” St. John's wort contains dianthone derivatives (hypericin and pseudohypericin), flavonoids and tannins (hyperoside, quercetin, rutin, and catetchin), xanthrones, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, and phytosterols (beta-sitosterol). The xanthrones and hypercin in St. John's have been shown to have monoamine-oxidase (MAO)-inhibiting abilities. A standard treatment for depression uses MAO inhibitors to retard the breakdown of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and thus increase their concentration in the central nervous system. A clinical study involving standardized hypericin extract showed improvement in depressive symptoms, including anxiety, apathy, insomnia, depression, and feelings of worthlessness. A red oil made from macerating the flowers in vegetable oil has been used to dress wounds, heal deep cuts, soothe burns, and ease the pain of neuralgias. Taken internally, the oil has effectively relieved ulcers and gastritis. An infusion of the herb has also been used as an expectorant for bronchitis and as a diuretic for the kidneys and as an easing agent for menstrual cramps.
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