Description:
Perennial growing to 0.9m by 0.6m.
St. John’s Wort can be visually recognised by leaf and
flower type. Yellow, five petalled flowers approximately 20mm
across occur between October to January (Late Spring/Early
Summer - Southern Hemisphere). Leaves exhibit obvious translucent
dots when held up to the light, giving them a ‘perforated’ appearance,
hence the plant's Latin name. When flowers or seed pods are
crushed, a reddish/purple liquid is produced.
St. John's wort is a perennial with extensive creeping rhizomes.
Its stems are erect, branched in the upper section, and can
grow to 1m high. It has opposing, stalkless, narrow, oblong
leaves which are 12mm long or slightly larger. The leaves are
yellowish-green in color, with transparent dots throughout
the tissue and occasionally a few black dots on the lower surface.
St. John's wort's flowers are five-petaled, bright yellow with
conspicuous black dots, and measure up to 2.5 cm across. They
appear in in broad cymes at the ends of the upper branches.
The sepals are pointed, with glandular dots in the tissue.
There are many stamens, which are united at the base into three
bundles.
Distribution and habitat:
Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow; Hedgerow.
Hypericum perforatum is indigenous to Europe, which has been
introduced to the Americas and grows wild in many meadows.
Approximately 370 species of the genus Hypericum exist worldwide
with a native geographical distribution including temperate and
subtropical regions of North America, Europe, Asia Minor, the
former Soviet Union, India and China.
Hystory:
The common name comes from its traditional flowering and harvesting
on St John's day, 24 June. The genus name Hypericum is derived
from the Greek words hyper (above) and eikon (picture), in
reference to the traditional use of the plant to ward off evil,
by hanging plants over a picture in the house during St John's
day. The species name perforatum refers to the small windows
in the leaves, which can be seen when they are held against
the light.
Ancient Greeks believed that the fragrance of St. John's
Wort would cause the evil spirits to fly away. The plant
was given magical powers. In ancient Greece, the herb was
used to treat many ailments, including sciatica and poisonous
reptile bites. In Europe it was used for the topical treatment
of wounds and burns. It is also a folk remedy for kidney and
lung ailments as well as depression.
Parts used:
Tops and flowers.
Constituens:
St. John's Wort has a complex and diverse chemical make-up.
Hypericin and pseudohypericin are believed to have antidepressive
and antiviral properties. Other constituents, such as xanthones
and flavonoids, may also contribute to the medicinal actions
of St. John's Wort. The following are the active constituents:
essential oil,
containing caryophyllene, methyl-2-octane, n-nonane, n-octanal,
n-decanal, a- and b-pinene, and traces of limonene and myrcene.
Hypericins, prenylated phloroglucin derivatives; hypericin,
pseudohypericin and hyperforin.
Miscellaneous; flavonoids, () and (-) - epicatechin.
Edible Uses:
Edible Uses: Tea.
The herb and the fruit are sometimes used as a tea substitute.
The flowers can be used in making mead.
Medicinal Uses:
Analgesic;
Antiseptic;
Antispasmodic;
Aromatic;
Astringent;
Cholagogue;
Digestive;
Diuretic;
Expectorant;
Homeopathy;
Nervine;
Resolvent;
Sedative;
Stimulant;
Vermifuge;
Vulnerary.
St. John's wort has a long history of herbal use. It fell out
of favour in the nineteenth century but recent research has
brought it back to prominence as an extremely valuable remedy
for nervous problems. In clinical trials about 67% of patients
with mild to moderate depression improved when taking this
plant. The flowers and leaves are analgesic,
antiseptic,
antispasmodic,
aomatic,
astringent,
cholagogue,
digestive,
diuretic,
expectorant,
nervine,
resolvent,
sedative,
stimulant,
vermifuge and
vulnerary.
The herb is used in treating a wide range of disorders, including
pulmonary complaints, bladder problems, diarrhoea and nervous
depression. It is also very effectual in treating overnight
incontinence of urine in children. Externally, it is used in poultices
to dispel herd tumours, caked breasts, bruising etc. The flowering
shoots are harvested in early summer and dried for later use.
Use the plant with caution and do not prescribe it for patients
with chronic depression. The plant was used to procure an abortion
by some native North Americans, so it is best not used by pregnant
women. See also the notes above on toxicity. A tea or tincture
of the fresh flowers is a popular treatment for external ulcers,
burns, wounds (especially those with severed nerve tissue),
sores, bruises, cramps etc. An infusion of the flowers in olive
oil is applied externally to wounds, sores, ulcers, swellings,
rheumatism etc. It is also valued in the treatment of sunburn
and as a cosmetics preparation
to the skin.
The plant contains many biologically active compounds including
rutin, pectin, choline, sitosterol, hypericin and pseudohypericin.
These last two compounds have been shown to have potent anti-retroviral
activity without serious side effects and they are being researched
in the treatment of AIDS. A homeopathic remedy is made from
the fresh whole flowering plant. It is used in the treatment
of injuries, bites, stings etc
and is said to be the first remedy to consider when nerve-rich
areas such as the spine, eyes, fingers etc are injured.
Others Uses:
Dye;
Tannin.
Yellow, gold and brown dyes
are obtained from the flowers and leaves. A red is obtained
from the flowers after acidification. A red dye is
obtained from the whole plant when infused in oil or alcohol.
A yellow is obtained when it is infused in water. The plant
is said to contain good quantities of
tannin,
though exact figures are not available.
Recipes and dosage:
For depression the usual dose is 300 mg 3
times a day. Timed release capsules are now on the market
as well. I find it easier to only have to remember to take
it once a day. Effects should be felt within a few weeks.
"Medicinal" tea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water
over l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and steep for l0-l5
minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Prepare a standard
infusion from the leaves and chopped
stem. Used externally, this lotion heals blisters, scalds,
and all minor wounds, but an oil of this herb is used
as a soothing rub and as a dressing for wounds slow to
heal. Dried aerial portions of the herb plant: one to
two teaspoons per cup of boiling water, taken two to
three times daily. Standard decoction or 3-9 gms.
Steep 1 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes,
covered. Take warm, 1/2 cup before breakfast and 1/2
cup when going to bed for the night.
Oil: Fill a pint jar loosely with dried herb, poor olive
oil to top, seal tightly and allow to infuse for 4 to 5
weeks, shaking the jar occasionally.
Oil extract: Take 10 to 15 drops in water.
To make, put fresh flowers and leaves in a jar and fill
with olive oil. Close the jar and leave it in a sunny or
warm place for 6 to 7 weeks, shaking it often. The oil
will turn red. Strain the oil through a cloth. If a watery
layer appears when the oil has stood a while, decant or
siphon it off. If stored in a dark container, the oil will
keep for up to 2 years.
Safety:
Hypericum should not be combined with a MAO inhibitor antidepressant
such as Nardil (phenelzine) or Parnate (tranylcypromine). This
combination can produce a dangerous rise in blood pressure
or hypertensive crisis, along with severe anxiety, fever, muscle
tension, and confusion. After stopping a MAO inhibitor, one
should wait at least four weeks before taking other antidepressants,
including Hypericum.
There are some recent reports that suggest that St. John's
Wort may interfere with medications given during organ transplant
(such as kidney and
liver.) Do not take this herb if you have undergone or plan
to undergo a transplant operation.
Avoid foods and medications that are known to interact negatively
with MAO-inhibiting drugs. Tyramine containing foods ( red
wine, cheese, beer, yeast, and pickled herring) and drugs such
as L-dopa and 5-hydoxytryptophan should be avoided. St. John's
Wort should not be used at the same time as prescription antidepressants.
Do not use St. John's Wort during pregnancy or lactation.
St. John's Wort makes the skin more
light sensitive. Persons with fair skin should
avoid exposure to strong sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet
light, such as tanning
beds. These individuals may suffer a dermatitis, severe burning,
and possibly blistering of the skin.
The severity of these effects will depend on the amount of
the plant consumed and the length of exposure to sunlight.
Some experts suggest that all individuals avoid sunlight when
using hypericin, especially when taking large quantities.
