St Johns Wort – Hypericum Perforatum (Hypericin).

St John’s wort is a plant species going by the botanical name Hypericum perforatum. It is also called by other names such as Tipton’s weed, Chase-devil and Klamath weed. In some places, the hypericum species as a whole is commonly referred to as St John’s wort and hypericum perforatum is then referred to as Common St John’s wort for the purpose of differentiation. It is commonly mis-spelt as St John’s wart.

In the US,  Saint John’s wort is considered as a weed and has been used in medicine in many countries for thousands of years mainly as a herbal remedy for depression. It is one of the most commonly used herbs for depression.

It is grown in North America, Europe, Turkey, Russia, India and China. It is a plant with yellow flowers, the concentrated extract of which  is available as St John’s wort tea, tablets, capsules, liquid and topical preparations such as St John’s oil. These products are available over the counter and do not need a prescription.

Why the name St John’s Wort.

Why St John. This plant is named thus because of its traditional flowering and harvesting on St. John’s day which is June 24^th.

Wort is an old English mane for herb or plant.

Why hypericum. This plant is traditionally hung over religious idols on St John’s day to ward off evil. Hyper in Greek means  above and eikon means a religious work of art usually a painting.

Perforatum refers to the translucent dots which are oil glands in the leaves and look like perforations when held against the light.

Picture of St John’s wort .

 

Uses and Benefits of St John’s Wort.

Though this is an over the counter preparation, you should always consult your doctor before taking this preparation. St John’s wort is used for the following conditions.

• Mild to moderate depressive disorder.

St John’s wort for depression is the most common form of its use. Data does suggest that St John’s wort is more effective than a placebo (a non effective pill such as a sugar pill) and  considered as equally effective as tricyclic antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression with fewer side effects. Comparisons with other antidepressants such as SSRIs are still inconclusive. Its use in severe depression has not proved effective.

• St John’s wort oil. Topical preparations of St John’s wort such as St John’s wort oil are used in wounds and first degree burns.

Other uses of St John’s wort are propagated but there is not enough evidence to support their effectiveness in these conditions. These conditions are:

• Somatoform disorders. This is a psychiatric or mental disorder which is characterized by physical symptoms which cannot be explained.
• Anxiety.
• Atopic dermatitis.
• Depression in children.
• Nerve pain.
• Symptoms of perimenopause.
• Alcoholism.
• As an antibacterial against gram negative bacteria.
• In premenstrual stndrome.
• HIV/AIDS.

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Related posts:

1. Alternative Treatments and Herbal Remedies for Depression.
2. Symptoms of Depression|Signs of Depression.