ST. JOHN'S WORT

Constituents​

These constituents are reported to vary according to collection season, flower maturity, and genomic variations

• phloroglucinol

• naphthodianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin)

• 6.5–15% catechin-type tannins and condensed- type proanthocyanidins (catechin, epicatechin, leucocyanidin);

• 2–5% flavonoids, mostly 0.5–2% hyperoside, 0.3–1.6% rutin, 0.3% quercitrin, 0.3% isoquercitrin, quercetin, and kaempferol;

• phenylpropanoids and other simple phenolic compounds

• xanthones

• phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic)

• volatile compounds

• sterols (sitosterol)

• ​vitamins C and A, up to 10 ppm xanthones

• choline

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Energetics/ Organoleptics

• TASTE: astringent with a mild sweetness, oiliness, slight pungency, and bitterness .  Plants with an oiliness to them typically have affinities for the liver and gallbladder, and this property is strengthened by its bitterness. The sweetness indicates that it has a trophorestorative or tonic action upon the body, specifically in this case with the nervous system as well as the liver. The astringency denotes its common uses as a topical first aid remedy specific for puncture wounds.

• COLOR: The signature of the yellow flowers indicates a liver/gall bladder affinity, and it has long been used as a detoxification agent. But we have to remember that this remedy is not only acting through the digestive system but also the nervous system- thus it has a particular affinity for the “enteric brain” or what I like to call the “neural gut.” This indicates it's uses as a remedy to “reset” the intelligence of the digestive system

• ENERGETICS: gently warming and drying, is also has an oiliness to it which brings a degree of moistening action to the nerves.  In Ayurveda, it is considered to have a cooling energy, yet a pungent post digestive effect (which would indicate a warming quality).

• MERIDIANS/ ORGANS: nerves, spine, digestive system, liver, bladder, skin

• PLANETS: the Sun

• ELEMENTS: the air element governs the functioning of the nervous system (in a 5 Element system it would be connected to Ether governing the nerves and brain).

• CHAKRAS:  Solar plexes chakra. The St. John’s Wort person oftentimes lacks a connection to their instinctual self and their ability to trust themselves. This can be seen as a weakness in the solar plexus, or manipura chakra, (whose color is yellow just like the St. John’s Wort flowers), and is typically accompanied by low willpower, self-esteem, confidence, and strength of character. They often feel weak and can play the “poor me” card and have a victim mentality. These dynamics can manifest due to energetic/spiritual reasons, or due to simply burnout or chronic fatigue.

• MAGICAL PROPERTIES:  This humble plant was commonly associated with the fairies, little people, nature spirits, spiritual saints, and all servants of the Light. In fact, St. John’s Wort can be seen as a little piece of the Sun embodied directly here on Earth- and in that way it teaches us about our own inner light, our connection to the Source, our true self, and how to shine that light out into the world to have a positive impact and influence.

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Contradictions​

• None known, according to the Commission E 

• PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: No known restrictions.

• In general, SJW produces few adverse side effects. Between October 1991 and December 1999, over 8 million patients are estimated to have been treated with Germany’s leading SJW preparation with only 95 reports of side effects. These included “allergic” skin reactions, gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue, breakthrough bleeding (birth control pill) plasma cyclosporin reductions and others. Photosensitization, depicted by erythema (red- ness of the skin) with exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation, is possible, but relatively rare and is sometimes report- ed in fair-skinned individuals taking excessive dosages (1,800 mg/day).

• Potential drug interactions with SJW have become the primary area of concern with this popular phytomedicine. However, some of these concerns may not be supported by clinical experience. In a review of drug interactions reportedly associated with SJW, calculations show one interaction per 300,000 treatments with the leading German SJW product.

• SJW should not be taken in combination with any pharmaceutical antidepressants, without professional guidance. SJW is believed to interact with oral contraceptives and anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)

• Preliminary findings suggest that SJW does not interact with the effects of alcohol; however, patients with depression should avoid alcohol.

• A potential interactive effect between SJW and cyclosporin has been recorded in many studies . These mainly involved transplant rejection (e.g., two cases in which heart transplants were rejected and one case each in which a pancreas and a kidney were rejected)

• Although all oral contraceptives are metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, their metabolism can vary between products. Bleeding has been reported in women who took both SJW and the oral contraceptive pill. In December 2001, seven unplanned pregnancies in the United Kingdom were reported as possibly being due to interactions with SJW; two cases were also reported in Sweden. It was believed that CYP3A4 induction caused drug levels to lower, although no such reports have been documented. Moreover, no change in the concentration of estrogen in the blood has been observed after administration of H. perforatum extract.

Common Names

Klamath weed, Goat weed, Tipton weed, and Enola weed

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Botanical Name

Hypericum perforatum

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Family

Hypericaceae

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Parts Used

St. John's wort consists of the dried, aboveground parts gathered during flowering season.

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Therapeutic Actions

​analgesic

anodyne

anti-bacterial

anti-cancer

anti-convulsant

anti-depressant

anti-diabetic

anti-fungal

anti-inflammatory

anti-malarial

anti-microbial

anti-oxidant

anti-schizophrenic

anti-tumor

anti-viral

apoptotic

astringent

bitter tonic

diuretic

hepatoprotective

hypotensive

nervine

nootropic 

sedative

spasmolytic

stimulant

trophorestorative

vulnerary

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Proper Use

It is widely accepted that the fresh tincture of St. John’s Wort is far superior than any extracts prepared from dried plant material. Because of the presence of the volatile oils, it is considered best extracted in a higher percentage of alcohol. Michael Moore suggests all fresh plants to be extracted in pure 95% alcohol, though I tend to prefer a bit lower- around 70% yields a very nice, blood red tincture which is quite effective.

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The infusion of the fresh flowers in a carrier oil, such as olive oil, is an excellent way to prepare this remedy. It extracts the volatile constituents quite nicely and works well in topical applications for nerve pain, nerve damage, sunburns, wounds of all sorts (but especially deep puncture wounds), bruises, contusions, and all other manner of injury. The infused oil can then be prepared into a salve, but the oil itself works wonderfully as well. When preparing an oil from fresh plant material, it’s important to infuse it warm with a lid off in order to evaporate any water thus preventing spoilage, as well as making sure not to press the plant material too intensely.

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An important factor with St. John’s Wort in the case of using it for depression or melancholy is that results are typically cumulative over time with consistent use. Most do not feel it upon the first dose! It is generally recommended to take the plant daily and consistently for at least 3-6 weeks to begin to notice the effects.

In British Herbalism, the general recommended tincture dosage is 2-4 mL (2-4 dropperfuls) 3x a day of a 1:5 extract in 40% alcohol. I would assume that percentage of alcohol is based on a dried herb extract- a fresh herb tincture should be made in a higher percentage alcohol (70%-95%). Dosage for water extraction is 2 tsp per 1 cup of water, prepared as as infusion for 15 minutes covered, drank 3x a day.

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It’s very common in the supplement industry to use standardized extracts of St. John’s Wort, which are typically standardized to 3%-5% hyperforin. 300 mg 3x a day is pretty standard.

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The traditional way to take SJW was as herbal tea, an aqueous extract whose single dose corresponded to 2–3 g of dried crude drug.

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• FLUID EXTRACT: 1:1 (g/ml), 2 ml, twice daily.

• Standardized Preparations

• DRY EXTRACT: 5–7:1, 300 mg, 3 times daily.

• EXTRACT: Standardized to 0.3% hypericin, 900 mg daily in 3 divided doses; standardized to 2–4.5% hyperforin, 900 mg daily in 3 divided doses.

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OILY MACERATE (OLEUM HYPERICI): Fresh-flowering tops in olive oil or wheatgerm oil are macerated for several weeks, stirred often, strained through a cloth and the pulp pressed. To be applied directly to affected areas (external).

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For depression, the onset of response to SJW is similar to that for conventional antidepressants, requiring 2–4 weeks, or as long as 6 weeks. To prevent relapse, antidepressant should be continued at full therapeutic doses for at least 6 months after remission.

Formulary

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SKIN REPAIR OIL

St. John’s wort oil is ideal for skin traumas. It helps support tissue repair and recovery for external wounds. It also has the ability to help a pain picture, like nerve pain, with its topical application. It can be used for general burns, sunburns, skin inflammation, diaper rash, cuts, and bruises. This is a great first aid oil to keep in your herb chest or traveling first aid kit.

 

Ingredients

Fresh St. John’s wort aerial parts
Organic extra virgin olive oil
1 sterilized quart-sized canning jar with lid

Directions

• Place freshly picked buds and flowers and place in a pint-sized canning jar, filling the jar ¾ full of fresh herbs.

• Top buds and flowers with organic extra virgin olive oil, covering the herbs by 1 inch, and seal with a lid.

• Set the mixture on a sunny windowsill for 3 weeks.

• When the oil is deep red, strain and bottle your final product in a labeled, amber-colored glass bottle.

• Store the bottled oil in a cool and dark location.

• Use topically on scrapes, cuts, burns, bruises, and areas of pain.

Using fresh St. John’s wort in your preparations is of benefit. With fresh herb, you will be working with more active constituents than if using dried plant material. Freshly infused St. John’s wort should turn a deep red when infused.

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St. John’s wort tincture has many uses. It can be added to the above oil recipe to create a liniment and used topically, or it can be taken internally, in a small bit of water, to support nervous tension, stress, and overall mood.

 

HAPPINESS TINCTURE

Ingredients

190-proof alcohol
1 pint-sized canning jar with lid
Fresh St. John’s wort aerial parts

Directions

• Collect enough plant material to fill a sterilized glass jar halfway. 

• Pour enough alcohol to cover herb and fill the jar. 

• Shake the mixture daily for 4 weeks.

• Strain the herb, reserving the liquid. Compost the herbs and bottle the tincture in a labeled amber-colored glass bottle.

• Keep the final tincture in a cool and dark place. 

• Take 15-20 drops of tincture three times a day.

To help call in the sunshine during the long winter months, prepare St. John’s wort preparations during the summer in an effort to support your future self. As an herb with many actions, it can be of great use for varying acute and chronic conditions and health presentations. From burns and scrapes to darkening mood, St. John’s wort preparations are profound staples to keep in your herbal toolkit. 

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SORE MUSCLE SALVE

Measurements are by weight; you’ll need a scale to make this salve.

• 2 oz (57 g) St. John’s wort infused oil

• 1.5 oz (43 g) dandelion, calendula or goldenrod infused oil

• 0.5 oz (14 g) beeswax

• 2.26 g (or about 48 drops) of essential oil (I used half Lavender essential oil and half “Massage” blend from Bramble Berry)

Weigh the infused oils and beeswax into a heatproof jar. Place in a small saucepan filled with a few inches of water. Place the pan over a low burner until the wax is melted.

Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes then stir in the essential oils. Pour into tins or containers. This recipe fills three 2-ounce tins.

Massage into tired and sore leg and back muscles.

 

SUPER SORE MUSCLE SALVE

Ingredients

• 4 oz St. John’s Wort infused oil

• 2 tsp organic cayenne powder

• 1/2 ounce beeswax or 2 Tbsp beeswax pastilles

Directions

1. Using a double boiler, mix the oil with the cayenne powder and warm very gently. Allow to cool and then heat up again, being sure not to let the oil bubble.

2. Remove from heat and allow to sit and infuse for 24 hours.

3. The next day, strain oil through cheesecloth to remove excess powder.

4. Place herbal infused oil and beeswax into your double boiler and gently warm over low heat until the beeswax melts.

5. Quickly pour into tins or glass jars and allow to cool completely.

6. Salves should be stored in a cool location where they will remain semi-solid.

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Cultivation

There are two tricks to identification, one is to hold a leaf up to the light and look for little pin-prick holes or perforations. These holes or "perforations" give the plant its latin name "Hypericum perforatum." Another trick is to pick a flower or bud and squeeze it between your fingertips, if there is a deep red stain, this is the color of hypericin, one of the active constituents of the plant.

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St. John's Wort can be easily started from seed in late fall or early spring. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil, water in, and then keep the soil moist and in a partially sunny area until the seeds sprout. They need light to germinate, so it's best not to keep them on a shelf below another shelf or hidden away in a dark space.

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Once the plants are old enough, you can plant them out into the garden in well-draining soil with full sun. They will flower for you in the second year.

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Because St. John's Wort does well in poor soils, it can be grown in almost any garden (add a bit of sand and organic matter to heavy clay soils to improve its texture) and doesn't need much fuss. It does seem to like a little bit of liquid seaweed concentrate now and again, but it would probably do just as well if allowed to do its own thing.

 

To harvest the plant, you can pick the fresh flowers and buds, or a quicker method is to simply cut the top 2 - 3 inches of the plant when it is full bloom in late June/early July. Harvest from a clean place, avoid roadways or anywhere that pesticides may have been used. It is possible to cultivate this herb, but we have always found that the wild plants seem to do better.

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History

• St. John's wort (SJW) is a perennial herb native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It has been introduced and naturalized in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, and is found growing wild in neglected fields, dry pastures, rangelands, and along country roads

• The name Hypericum is derived from two Greek words hyper (over) and eikon (icon) indicating its historical use against evil spirits.

• However, researchers say it was used by ancient Greeks to treat mental disorders that they believed to involve demonic possession (Dugoua et al., 2006)

• Its common name SJW derived from St. John the Baptist, whose birthday is in the same month (June) in which SJW blooms.

• St. John’s wort (SJW) rose from virtual obscurity in the U.S., to become the fifth best-selling dietary supplement in mainstream retail stores in the U.S. Its rise to fame came after the national media reported clinical research showing that SJW is safe and effective for treating mild to moderate depression.

• The Greek physician, Hippocrates (ca. 460-377 B.C.E.), was one of the first to speak of the health benefits of SJW.

• Preparations include teas, alcoholic tinctures, and tablets using either the plant in its crude form, or standardized preparation.

• SJW is typically standardized to contain a consistent level of hypericin (0.3%), or hyperforin (3-5%), two naturally occurring chemicals found in the plant.