Latin name: Hypericum performatum
Family: Hypericaceae
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Growing abundantly in the US and Europe in valleys, meadows, fields and roadsides, St Johns Wort (SJW) is often considered a noxious, pesky weed. It produces abundant seeds.
Russian folk medicine calls SJW Zveroboi meaning “beast killer” or “killing the beast”. It is specially cultivated on plantations where 3-4 pounds of seed are planted per acre. Once growing, the crop can produce 2000 to 4000 pounds of dry herb for the next four to five years.
It’s utilized in Europe twice as often as Prozac for anti-depressant properties and contains the most beautiful magenta color in herbal preparations.
Part of the Plant Used
Aerial portions.
Organoleptics
TEXTURE + COLOR – The upright, woody stem reaches a height of 1-2 feet adorned with ovate leaves alternating up to soft, yellow five-pointed star flowers. Dotted leaves show transparent pillows of medicinal compounds which reveal a red/purple color when bruised.
AROMA + FLAVOR – Pleasant, sweet and/or bitter.
CONSTITUENTS
- Volatile oils
- carophyllene
- methyl-2-octane
- n-nonane
- n-octanal
- n-decanal
- alpha and beta pinene
- Naphthodianthones
- hypericin
- pseudohypericin
- Phloroglucinols (hyperforin)
- Catechins
- Proanthocyanidins
- Flavonoids
- hyperoside
- rutin
THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Astringent
- Expectorant
- Diuretic
- Sedative
- Nervine
- Vulnerary
Clinical Indications:
- Nerve pain relief
- Sciatica
- Neuropathy
- Neuralgia
- Tension and twitching
- Rheumatic pains
- Fibrositis
- Dental discomforts of teeth and gums
- Anxiety and Depression (mechanism of action still being researched)
- Wound Care
- Bruises
- Mild Burns (Sunburns)
- Minor scrapes and scratches
- Varicose Veins
- Hemorrhoids with pain and bleeding
Folk: bronchitis, bed wetting, dysentery, diarrhea, bleeding in the lungs, worms, jaundice, suppressed urine, pus in the urine, hysteria, irregular menstruation, sore tail bone, too much phlegm in the head, gas, stomach spasms and swollen breasts.
Energetics: Warm, dry, sweet and/or bitter.
Meridian/Organ Affinity: Nervous System
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
May be photosensitive. Take care if apply to the skin and going outside. Take caution if rosacea is present.
Work with a medical professional if you are taking SSRIs as St Johns Wort has shown to alter levels of serotonin.
SJW may also interact with the hepatic cytochrome P450 pathway altering metabolic behaviors of other drugs; thus, simultaneous administration is not recommended.
SJW may be contraindicated with other: non-sedating antihistamines, oral contraceptives, certain anti-retroviral agents, anti-epileptic medications, calcium channel blockers, cyclosporine, some chemotherapeutic drugs, macrolide antibiotics, and select anti-fungal drugs. Please refer to your physician or pharmacist to decide if this herb is right for you.
DOSAGE
INFUSION: 1 cup of boiling water to 1-2 tsps of herb infused for 10 to 15 minutes, drank three times daily.
TINCTURE: 2 to 4 ml up to three times daily (1:5 in 40%)
CAPSULES: 300 mg, three times daily.
Combinations:
- An infusion combined with aloe powder over the liver (topically) can have deep influence. Folk medicine shares details of “morbid matter is sometimes washed away with it.”
- J. Kloss, author of Back to Eden shares “The seeds steeped in boiling water will expel congealed blood from the stomach caused by bruises, falls, or bursting veins.”
