St. Johns Wort ~ Hypericum perforatum

St. Johns Wort

Latin name:

Family: Hypericaceae

Part used: herb

Habitat: native to Europe

Main constituents: essential oil, hypericin, flavonoids, hyperforin

Energetics: sl. warming, astringent, sweet, bitter

Main herbal actions: anti-inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial, sedative, nerve trophorestorative, antioxidant, anxiolytic

Minor herbal actions: hepatoprotective, antiviral, vulnerary (topically)

Main medicinal uses: menopausal problems, rheumatism, coughs, colds, anxiety, depression, fear, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, nerve pain, shingles, hemorrhoids with pain, enuresis in children, facial neuralgia after dental extractions, toothache, neurasthenia

Minor medicinal uses: internal use of oil for gastric inflammation and ulcers; external use of oil for burns, bruises, muscular pain, diaper rash, cradle cap

Preparations: 1:1 fresh tincture: 10-60 gtt qd-qid; infused oil prn, capsules: 2-10 grams qd (Khalsa)

Contraindications: pregnancy; concurrent use of reserpine or MAO inhibitors (theoretical)

Toxicity: photosensitivity in sensitive people

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations