St. John's Wort
Common name
St. John’s wort, hypericum, Klamath weed, goatweed
ID
HD0060
Scientific name of the plant
Hypericum perforatum L.
Anatomical part for use
flower
Human use
Skin disorders & minor wounds,Mental stress & mood disorders,Gastrointestinal disorders
Summary
Hypericum perforatum, known as perforate St John's-wort, is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae and the type species of the genus Hypericum.
Possibly a hybrid between H. maculatum and H. attenuatum, the species can be found across temperate areas of Eurasia and has been introduced as an invasive weed to much of North and South America, as well as South Africa and Australia. While the species is harmful to livestock and can interfere with prescription drugs, it has been used in folk medicine over centuries, and remains commercially cultivated in the 21st century. Hyperforin, a phytochemical constituent of the species, is under basic research for its possible biological properties. (Source: Wiki)
Evidence Level
Level 3 (Independent reports from different countries)
Hepatotoxicity reports in literature
Hepatotoxicity Description
Despite wide spread use, there have been no convincing case reports linking use of St. John’s wort and hepatotoxicity. In controlled trials, St. John’s wort has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations or to clinically apparent liver injury. Because of its many herb-drug interactions and effects on the P450 system and drug transport and excretion, St. John’s wort may increase or decrease the likelihood of drug induced liver injury from other medications. (Source: LiverTox)
Traditional medicine
Common St John's wort has been used in herbalism for centuries. It was thought to have medical properties in classical antiquity and was a standard component of theriacs, from the Mithridate of Aulus Cornelius Celsus' De Medicina (ca. 30 CE) to the Venice treacle of d'Amsterdammer Apotheek in 1686. Folk usages included oily extract ("St John's oil") and Hypericum snaps. Hypericum perforatum is a common species and is grown commercially for use in herbalism and traditional medicine.The red, oily extract of H. perforatum has been used in the treatment of wounds, including by the Knights Hospitaller, the Order of St John, after battles in the Crusades, which is most likely where the name derived. Both hypericin and hyperforin are under study for their potential antibiotic properties. (Source: Wiki)
Side effects
St John's wort may cause allergic reactions and can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with a variety of prescribed medicines. St John's wort is generally well tolerated, but it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort (such as nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea), dizziness, confusion, fatigue, sedation, dry mouth, restlessness, and headache.The organ systems associated with adverse drug reactions to St John's wort and fluoxetine (an SSRI) have a similar incidence profile; most of these reactions involve the central nervous system. St John's wort also decreases the levels of estrogens, such as estradiol, by accelerating its metabolism, and should not be taken by women on contraceptive pills. St John's wort may cause photosensitivity. This can lead to visual sensitivity to visible and ultraviolet light and to sunburns in situations that would not normally cause them. (Source: Wiki)
Common name
St. John’s wort, hypericum, Klamath weed, goatweed
ID
HD0060
Scientific name of the plant
Hypericum perforatum L.
Anatomical part for use
flower
Human use
Skin disorders & minor wounds,Mental stress & mood disorders,Gastrointestinal disorders
Summary
Hypericum perforatum, known as perforate St John's-wort, is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae and the type species of the genus Hypericum. Possibly a hybrid between H. maculatum and H. attenuatum, the species can be found across temperate areas of Eurasia and has been introduced as an invasive weed to much of North and South America, as well as South Africa and Australia. While the species is harmful to livestock and can interfere with prescription drugs, it has been used in folk medicine over centuries, and remains commercially cultivated in the 21st century. Hyperforin, a phytochemical constituent of the species, is under basic research for its possible biological properties. (Source: Wiki)
Evidence Level
Level 3 (Independent reports from different countries)
Hepatotoxicity reports in literature
Hepatotoxicity Description
Despite wide spread use, there have been no convincing case reports linking use of St. John’s wort and hepatotoxicity. In controlled trials, St. John’s wort has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations or to clinically apparent liver injury. Because of its many herb-drug interactions and effects on the P450 system and drug transport and excretion, St. John’s wort may increase or decrease the likelihood of drug induced liver injury from other medications. (Source: LiverTox)
Traditional medicine
Common St John's wort has been used in herbalism for centuries. It was thought to have medical properties in classical antiquity and was a standard component of theriacs, from the Mithridate of Aulus Cornelius Celsus' De Medicina (ca. 30 CE) to the Venice treacle of d'Amsterdammer Apotheek in 1686. Folk usages included oily extract ("St John's oil") and Hypericum snaps. Hypericum perforatum is a common species and is grown commercially for use in herbalism and traditional medicine.The red, oily extract of H. perforatum has been used in the treatment of wounds, including by the Knights Hospitaller, the Order of St John, after battles in the Crusades, which is most likely where the name derived. Both hypericin and hyperforin are under study for their potential antibiotic properties. (Source: Wiki)
Side effects
St John's wort may cause allergic reactions and can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with a variety of prescribed medicines. St John's wort is generally well tolerated, but it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort (such as nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea), dizziness, confusion, fatigue, sedation, dry mouth, restlessness, and headache.The organ systems associated with adverse drug reactions to St John's wort and fluoxetine (an SSRI) have a similar incidence profile; most of these reactions involve the central nervous system. St John's wort also decreases the levels of estrogens, such as estradiol, by accelerating its metabolism, and should not be taken by women on contraceptive pills. St John's wort may cause photosensitivity. This can lead to visual sensitivity to visible and ultraviolet light and to sunburns in situations that would not normally cause them. (Source: Wiki)