Medicinal Herb: St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

In Herbal Medicine, St. John’s Wort is used as an Antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant, nervine, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial. Used in all pulmonary complaints, bladder disorders, in suppression of urine, dysentery, worms, diarrhoea, hysteria and nervous depression, haemoptysis and other haemorrhages and jaundice.[4]

For children troubled with incontinence of urine at night an infusion or tea given before retiring will be found effectual. It is also useful in TB, chronic catarrh of the lungs, bowels or urinary passages. Apply externally for softening of hard tumours, caked breasts, ecchymosis, etc.

Hypericum was recommended by Hippocrates for “nervous unrest.” It has a 2400-year history of folk use for anxiety; sleep disturbances, and worry. Modern medical research has shown that Hypericum can be as effective as prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. However, unlike prescription antidepressants, Hypericum’s side effects are few and mild. 

The standardised extract of St. John’s Wort (containing 0.14 percent hypericin) has significant support in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. The official German Commission E monograph for St. John’s Wort lists psychovegetative disturbances, depressive states, fear, and nervous disturbances as clinical indications for the extract.

Clinical studies have shown significant improvement in symptoms of anxiety, apathy, hypersomnia, and insomnia, anorexia, psychomotor retardation, depression feelings of worthlessness. Clinical double blind studies indicated that St. John’s Wort extract (0.3% hypericin) at a dosage of 300 milligrams three times daily is as effective in relieving symptoms of depression as standard antidepressants but is much better tolerated with fewer side effects than pharmaceutical medication.

Hypericum is now the number one antidepressant, natural or synthetic, prescribed by German physicians. In Germany, Hypericum accounts for over 50 percent of the antidepressant market, while Prozac is down to 2 percent.

In addition to Hypericum’s mood-elevating properties, Germany’s Commission E has approved this herb for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders. In two clinical studies, Hypericum demonstrated anti-anxiety effects comparable to those of Valium (diazepam). Yet Hypericum is not addictive and does not impair cognitive functions.

Taken internally, St. Johns Wort has a sedative and pain reducing effect, which gives it a place in the treatment of neuralgia, anxiety, tension and similar problems. It is especially regarded as a herb to use where there are menopausal changes triggering irritability and anxiety. In addition to neuralgic pain, it will ease fibrositis, sciatica and rheumatic pain.

Externally it is a valuable healing and anti-inflammatory remedy. As a lotion it will speed the healing of wounds and bruises, varicose veins and mild burns. The oil is especially useful for the healing of sunburn.

The calming properties of St. John’s Wort have been useful in treating bedwetting, insomnia, and other nervous conditions, as well as some form of melancholy. An oil extract of the herb can be taken for stomach ache, colic, intestinal problems, and as an expectorant for the congestion in the lungs. A tea made from the flowers is good for anemia, headache, insomnia, jaundice, chest congestion, and catarrh. A tea made from the herb has been used for uterine cramping and menstrual difficulties. The oil extract also make a good external application for burns, wounds, sores, bruises, and other skin problems.

St. John’s Wort is also being tested as an AIDS drug. There is evidence of its antiviral actions. Anecdotal reports have claimed hypericin is beneficial for persons with HIV virus. There are also reports that hypericin extract works synergistically with AZT against HIV. Further clinical research is in progress in this area.