December 2008 Herb of the Month - St Johns Wort
Hypericum perforatum

Family:

Clusiaceae

St Johns Wort is a clumping perennial, low growing rising up to between 60cm – 1m when in flower.

Leaves – ovate leaves dotted with numerous tiny translucent black or red glands, giving a perforated appearance.

Flowers – bright yellow, five petalled with numerous stamens and dotted with dark coloured glands. Flowers during summer.

Position – well drained, sunny. Frost resistant. Thrives in a temperate climate. It can be grown from seed, cuttings or division.

In NSW and VIC and some other Australian states it is declared noxious because of its vigorous growth in a temperate climate and because it causes severe photosensitivity in stock that eat it.

In the northern hemisphere StJohns Wort flowers at the time of summer solstice, believed to have magical properties, the flowers were placed above religious images keep away evil at the northern Midsummer Day 24th June, St Johns Day.

Origin – Europe and Asia. Naturalised in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Constituents:

• Glycosides – Hypercin and pseudohypericin
• Phloroglucinol derivative -Hyperforin
• Flavonoids – rutin and querctitin.
• Volatile oils -
• Tannins up to 10%

Actions:

• Anxiolitic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiviral
• Antidepressant
• Astringent
• Relaxant Topically
• Antiseptic
• Analgesic
• Vulnerary

Medicinal:

• Depression and anxiety
• Neuralgia, shingles
• Wounds, burns.
• Cramp, nerve pain, rheumatic pain.
• Viral infections
• Stress induced gastrointestinal tract disorders such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, diarrhoea.

St Johns Wort can be made into a red oil for external use by macerating the flowering tops in sunflower, olive or wheatgerm oil for 6 weeks. This can then be rubbed onto the area for relief of wounds, burns, cramps and nerve pain.

An infusion can be taken to relieve depression, anxiety and emotional upsets associated with menopause or premenstrual syndrome. 2-4g of dried herb infused with water and taken as a tea three times per day.

Clinical trials have shown St Johns Wort to be affective in the treatment of mild to major depression, with no known adverse mental or physical effects. When compared to the benzodiazepine, diazepam in the treatment of anxiety Hypericum extract was found to be more affective. The antiviral action is being researched for use in treating HIV and AIDS.

Contraindications: