Herbal Actions: Analgesic, Antidepressant, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Astringent, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Nervine, Vulnerary
Constituents: St. John’s wort is known to have several active ingredients which include rutin, and quercetin, cyclopseudohypericin, hypericin, hyperforin, isohypericin, protohypericin, pseudohypericin and several other flavonoids.
St. John’s-Wort has been used for centuries to treat a number of common ailments such as neuralgia, sciatica, sleep disorders, wound healing, and hemorrhoids, but it is probably best known for its use in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
Some evidence shows that St. John’s-Wort may reduce symptoms in people with mild-to-moderate, but not severe depression. St. John’s-Wort contains several chemicals, including hypericin, hyperforin, and flavonoids. Researchers aren’t exactly sure how St. John’s-Wort works, but some believe this herb increases the availability of the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Scientists once thought that hypericin was responsible, but now they believe that other chemicals in St. John’s-Wort may help. This herb definitely deserves more study.
One study found that St. John’s-Wort was no more effective than placebo for treating depression, but these studies should be weighed against the majority that have found St. John’s-Wort helps mild depression.
Depression can be a serious illness. If you or someone in your family may have depression, consult a health care provider.
St. John’s-Wort also has antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it has been applied to the skin as a salve to help heal wounds and burns. To use this herb for nerve pain, apply topically in the form of an oil or salve. It can also be taken by mouth in the form of capsules, tincture or extract.
It has been specifically indicated for trauma and damage to the nervous system whether through injury or viral infection, and for painful issues such as neuralgia, sciatica, Bell’s palsy, head and spine trauma, pinched nerves, after surgical and dental work, as well as injuries to any area that is rich in nerve endings (Winston, 2007; LaLuzerne, 2013; McIntyre, 1996).
St. John’s-Wort’s ability to help soothe nerves along with its antiviral actions make this plant a wonderful ally for anyone dealing with the pain from shingles and herpes infections. Herbalist Susun Weed explains that she finds St. John’s-Wort to be “one of the most effective antiviral plants I have ever worked with but especially focuses on the nerves” and therefore being particularly helpful when there is a “virus in the nerves”
The antispasmodic action of St. John’s-Wort helps to relax muscles spasms including spasms in the lungs, colon, and reproductive tract. This herb is also used for muscle soreness from over-exertion and eases shoulder, neck, and back pain
The fresh oil is used by herbalists as a vulnerary and anti-inflammatory that helps to speed healing and soothe the pain of burns, cuts, wounds, insect bites, and even hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Bruises, strains, and muscle pain will also benefit from the fresh oil.
The antiviral, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory actions of St. John’s-Wort helps to fight infection and soothe discomfort. A tea can be made by steeping 2 to 3 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of water in a covered pot for 20-30 minutes.
Herbalists once looked to St. John’s-Wort to support the liver as a both a tonic and a cholagogue helping to stimulate bile flow aiding in the digestion. The astringency and antimicrobial properties also aid in balancing the digestive tract during gastrointestinal upset: i.e. diarrhea.
A Very Distinctive Flower
St. John’s-Wort has a very distinctive flower, with many stamens in 3 clusters and a single pistil in the center. The bright yellow flowers have five petals with black glands on the petal edges. The leaves of St. John’s-Wort exhibit obvious translucent dots when held up to the light, giving them a perforated appearance, hence the plant’s Latin name H. perforatum. This plant flowers in late spring and summer. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees.
St. John’s-Wort can be used as a dye. Yellow, gold and brown dyes are obtained from the flowers and leaves. Red dye is obtained from the whole plant when infused in oil or alcohol and yellow is obtained when it is infused in water.
Precautions for St. John's-Wort
St. John’s-Wort has many precautions and is contraindicated for many conditions involving the use of prescription and conventional medications so please make sure that you are fully informed of these precautions before even attempting to use this herb. That being said, research studies, using St. John’s-Wort by mouth for up to 12 weeks has appeared to be safe, but because St. John’s-Wort interacts with many drugs, it might not be safe for many people. It may not be safe to use if you take antidepressants, use birth control pills, cyclosporine (which prevents the body from rejecting transplanted organs), some heart medications, HIV drugs, some cancer medications, blood thinners and certain statins.
St. John’s-Wort may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, especially when taken in large doses. When used topically, avoid direct sunlight. Cattle grazing on this plant have died from sunburn, so it is truly important to stay out of the sun while using St. John’s-Wort
Other side effects can include insomnia, anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, or sexual dysfunction.
As with any herbal medicine, it may not be safe to use St. John’s-Wort during pregnancy or while nursing. It has caused birth defects in laboratory animals. Nursing infants of mothers who take St. John’s-Wort can experience colic, drowsiness, and fussiness.
