Hypericum perforatum is a herb native to Europe, used in medicine.

Contents

Uses

  • Traditional/Ethnobotanical usesThis plant has been used as an herbal remedy for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties since the Middle Ages
  • General usesA wide range of studies support Hypericum’s place in the treatment of depression. Effectiveness is comparable with standard antidepressants, while adverse events are lower than with conventional antidepressants

Benefits

  • Hypericum perforatum fights depression and conditions that sometimes go along with depression such as anxiety, tiredness, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. There is some strong scientific evidence that it is effective for mild to moderate depression.
  • It is also beneficial for heart palpitations, moodiness and other symptoms of menopause, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
  • Hypericum perforatum has been tried for exhaustion, stop-smoking help, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraine and other types of headaches, muscle pain, nerve pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • It is also used for cancer, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C.
  • An oil can be made from Hypericum perforatum. Some people apply this oil to their skin to treat bruises and scrapes, inflammation and muscle pain, first degree burns, wounds, bug bites, hemorrhoids, and nerve pain.

Cautions

Adverse reactions are usually mild. Potential reactions include dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, and confusion. Sensitivity to sunlight also may occur. In clinical trials, adverse reactions with Hypericum perforatum were usually less than those seen with standard antidepressants. Other possible rare adverse reactions include induction of mental excitement and effects on male and female reproductive capabilities.

Interactions

Should not be used with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, irinotecan, and imatinib mesylate, as well as protease inhibitors and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in HIV treatment.

Other Names

Hypericum perforatum also is known as klamath weed, John’s wort, amber touch-and-heal, goatweed, rosin rose, and millepertuis. Commercial preparations used in trials include Esbericum, Hyperforat, Hyperiforce, Kira, LI 160, Neuroplant , Psychotonin, Sedariston , STEI 300, WS 5573, Ze 117.

References

Source: Drugs.com, http://www.drugs.com/npc/st-john-s-wort.html

WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-329-st%20john’s%20wort.aspx?activeingredientid=329&activeingredientname=st%20john’s%20wort

 

 

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