St. Joan's/John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

 

" This beautiful perennial wildflower may be hated by sheep farmers but herbalists adore it. The flowering tops are harvested after they begin to bloom (traditionally on Solstice, June 21) and prepared with alcohol - or with oil - to make two of the most useful remedies in my first-aid kit. Tincture of St. Joan's wort not only lends one a sunny disposition, it reliably relieves muscle aches, is a powerful anti-viral, and is my first-choice treatment for those with shingles, sciatica, backpain, neuralgia, and headaches including migraines. The usual dose is 1 dropperful (1 ml) as frequently as needed. In extreme pain from a muscle spasm in my thigh, I used a dropperful every twenty minutes for two hours, or until the pain totally subsided. St. Joan's wort oil stops cold sores in their tracks and can even relieve genital herpes symptoms. I use it as a sunscreen. Contrary to popular belief, St. Joan's wort does not cause sun sensitivity, it prevents it. It even prevents burn from radiation therapy. Eases sore muscles, too ..." [Susan Weed]

 

Saint John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), also known as Goatweed, Hypericum, Saint Joan's Wort, Tipton Weed, Amber, Qian Ceng Lou, and Klamath Weed, belongs to a group of about two hundred herbs of the family Hypericaceae. This aromatic perennial herb is found throughout Europe and the United States, producing golden yellow flowers that seem particularly abundant on June 24, the traditional birthday of John the Baptist. Ergo the name in honor of St. John. The genus name Hypericum is from Greek and means 'over an apparition' as the herb was once considered odiferous enough to cause evil spirits to depart. The species name, perforatum, refers to the tiny oil filled perforated holes in the plant.  Because the hypericin produces a bright red hue, the herb is associated with blood and is often collected on June 24th, the feast day of John the Baptist (the date he was beheaded). It was used in medieval times as protection from evil. 

The part of this plant used medicinally is the above-ground portion. In the early 1900's, a beetle was introduced into the Pacific Northwest to keep this plant under control. Unfortunately, the effects of that action are greatly felt today, since the usefulness of this plant has led to great popularity. The common name St. John's Wort includes the species Hypericum formosum, which is used interchangeably with Hypericum perforatum.

St. John's Wort was popular with ancient medical authorities and was commonly recommended as a folk remedy for the treatment of infectious diseases such as colds, syphilis, tuberculosis, dysentery, whooping cough and worms. St. John's Wort has also been used in the past as a folk remedy for the support treatment of depression, anxiety, mania, hypochondriasis, fatigue, hysteria and insomnia.

Over time, with the advent of modern pharmaceutical science, St. John's Wort was nearly forgotten as a medicinal herb. Only recently has St. John's Wort gained a new reputation, particularly in Europe, as an effective nerve tonic for treatment of anxiety, depression, and unrest. A report in a leading German medical journal in 1984 demonstrated significant improvement in depression, anxiety and insomnia in nine people taking oral extracts of St. John's Wort. Recent studies have linked the antidepressant effects of St. John's Wort to various contained xanthones and flavonoids that act as monoamine oxidase (MOA) inhibitors. Tests on small animals and preliminary tests in humans have confirmed this activity.

Hypericin and pseudohypericin appear to be the active therapeutic components of St. John's Wort, though other substances, including protein, fat, tannin, Vitamins A & C, carotenoids, rutin and pectin support it's activities. Chemical investigations have detected a number of other constituents in St. John's Wort, including about 1% of a volatile oil and approximately 10% of tannin. The tannin probably exerts some wound-healing effects through its astringent and protein-precipitating actions.

Unfortunately, hypericin may exert a much less desirable side effect, a form of photosensitivity characterized by dermatitis of the skin and inflammation of the mucous membranes, on exposure to direct sunlight. There is evidence that the photosensitizing caused by St. John's Wort is due to the fluorescent pigment hypericin.

Purified hypericin, when given orally, can produce photosensitization in rats. It is the reaction of this substance with the ultraviolet rays of the sun that causes the problem. The photosensitization reaction is known as hvpericism or St. John's Wort poisoning. It is important to point out that photosensitization reactions have not been described in humans participating in studies using Hypericum extracts. This is most likely due to the fact that these subjects were not receiving doses high enough to cause the reaction. The photosensitizing dose for humans is not known. Those taking St. John's Wort for extended periods should be aware of the possibility of inducing a photosensitization reaction and be prepared to discontinue use if symptoms occur.

Warning: Consult your physician before taking St. John’s Wort or Kava Kava if you are currently taking anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, drugs to treat HIV or prevent transplant rejection, or any other prescription drug.  Do not use if you suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing.  Please review the FDA Public Health Advisory (02/10/00) �?Risk of Drug Interactions with St. John’s Wort and Indinavir and Other Drugs.