St. John's Wort

• Traditional Medicine: Used in ancient Greek and Roman medicine for treating wounds, burns, and mood disorders.
• European Folk Medicine: Historically used as a “nerve tonic” and for warding off evil spirits.
• Wound Healing: Applied topically as an antiseptic for cuts and bruises.

Active Compounds:

• Hypericin: Contributes to antidepressant and antiviral properties.
• Hyperforin: Exhibits antidepressant and antimicrobial effects.
• Flavonoids: Quercetin, rutin, kaempferol (antioxidant properties).
• Tannins: Provide astringent properties.
• Essential Oils: Myrcene, limonene.

• Antidepressant: Modulates neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in tissues.
• Antimicrobial: Effective against bacteria and viruses.
• Wound Healing: Promotes tissue repair and reduces infection risk.
• Anxiolytic: Relieves symptoms of mild anxiety.

1. Relieves Symptoms of Depression:

• Effect: Effective in treating mild to moderate depression.
• Key Study: Meta-analysis confirms St. John’s Wort’s efficacy comparable to SSRIs for mild depression.

2. Reduces Anxiety and Stress:

• Use: Calms the nervous system and alleviates mild anxiety.

3. Supports Wound Healing:

• Effect: Speeds up healing of wounds and burns when applied topically.

4. Improves Sleep Quality:

• Mechanism: Modulates melatonin and reduces stress-related insomnia.

4. Antiviral Properties:

• Use: Effective against certain viruses, including herpes simplex.

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Avoid due to potential hormonal effects.
• Severe Depression: Not recommended as a sole treatment for severe depression.
• Photosensitivity: Increased risk of sunburn or skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

• Photosensitivity, especially in fair-skinned individuals.
• Mild gastrointestinal upset.
• Dry mouth or dizziness in some cases.
• Rare cases of allergic reactions, including skin rash or itching.

• Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs): May lead to serotonin syndrome.
• Birth Control Pills: May reduce their efficacy.
• Anticoagulants (Warfarin): May decrease effectiveness.
• Antiretrovirals: Reduces effectiveness of HIV medications.
• Sedatives and Anxiolytics: May have additive effects.
• Herbs: Works synergistically with calming adaptogens like ashwagandha but may overstimulate when combined with stimulatory herbs.

• A double-blind, randomized trial of St John’s wort, fluoxetine, and placebo in major depressive disorder
• A review of the antibacterial activity of Hypericum perforatum L.
• Acute treatment of moderate to severe depression with Hypericum extract WS 5570 (St John’s wort): Randomised controlled double blind non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine
• Advantages and disadvantages of using St. John’s wort as a treatment for depression
• Associations of herbal and specialty supplements with lung and colorectal cancer risk in the vitamins and lifestyle study

St. John’s Wort is a well-studied herb with significant benefits for mood support, wound healing, and anxiety relief. Its antidepressant properties make it a natural alternative for mild to moderate depression. However, it should be used cautiously due to its potential interactions with medications and photosensitivity risks.