Hypericum perforatum (common name St. Johnswort) is a member of the Hypericaceae. It is a perennial (relatively long-lived) plant that can easily be recognized by its bright yellow flowers. It blooms near Summer solstice, thus derives its common name because it blooms near June 24th, the birthday of the Baptist St John (Sheahan, 2012). The word “wort” means “plant” in Old English.
It has been associated with religion and witchcraft, and there are many mysteries about how the plant got its scientific name.One way the plant may have got its name is, Hypericum is said to come from the Greek word “hyperikon” which is broken down into hyper (meaning over), and eikon (meaning image). It was believed that the Greeks used the plant above religious images to drive off evil spirits. The Latin species name perforatum means hole, which refers to the translucent dots on the leaves that look like tiny holes. (Sheahan, 2012).
When these dots are pressed they will release the plants essential oils. The plant is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa (Sheahan, 2012). Today you can find the plant throughout United States.It was thought that European settlers brought the seeds here for their gardens because it was valued for its spiritual, medicinal and magical powers.
It had escaped cultivation and spread along roadsides from Florida to Maine by the Revolutionary War(Crompton,1998) The plant goes back to many centuries, and is surrounded by mystical legends. Hypericum perforatum has been used for at least 2,400 years, from ancient civilizations in Greece, through pagan Europe and the Middle Ages, till today (Davies, 2012). The ancient Greeks used it for reptile bites, menstrual cramping, gastrointestinal distress, and depression.After it was brought to United States, Native Americans used it to treat diarrhea, wounds, and snakebites (Rees,1995). There were other records of it being used to drive off evil spirits, and offering protection against the devils temptations. The plant is a flowering plant that can reproduce both sexually and asexually, and flowers are both pollinated and self-pollinated (Sheahan, 2012).
During the asexual reproduction, the plant will create runners and rhizomes that will produce tiny root systems and shoot systems. The shoots will grow into replicas of the parent plant.During sexual reproduction, meiosis will take place and produce haploid cells. These haploid cells will go through mitosis to create pollen sacs and embryonic sacs. Pollination and fertilization will then begin when sperm travels through the pollen tube.
Seeds are produced and kept inside the fruit. At least 15,000-30,000 seeds and plants are produced in one season, contributing to its potential for rapid spread (Crompton, 1998). The seeds can be transported by animals, humans and wind. The stems of this plant are erect, and appear rust colored, they are also woody and can grow anywhere from 30-120cm tall (Rees,1995).The leaves are yellow-green and have translucent dots throughout the tissue, and occasionally with a few black dots on the lower surface.
These translucent dots are what contain the plants oils and resins. Its flowers are bright yellow with five petals; the flowers usually appear between late spring and early to mid-Summer. To identify the herb look for two longitudinal lines or ridges found along the edge of the stem which make it appear flat, when you squeeze the bright yellow flower petals they will bleed a reddish-purple liquid.It can be found most commonly found in grasslands, pastures, meadows, and rangelands. But it also occurs in forested areas in natural clearings, openings, or areas that have been disturbed by fire, logging, or road construction (Sheahan, 2012).
The plant has been used as a natural herbal remedy and can come in many forms such as capsules, teas, tablets, tinctures, and oil based skin lotions Chopped or powdered forms of the dried herb are also available. It is promoted to treat anxiety, diarrhea, depression, herpes, hemorrhoids, insect bites, burns, stings, and it can also be used as a mild sedative.The plant contains nearly two dozen bioactive compounds which possess interesting pharmacological properties including: anti-bacterial, anti-in? ammatory, anti-tumoural and anti-angiogenic properties (Lorusso, 2009). The herbs and flowers contain various active compounds including flavonoids, hypericin, procyanidins, pectin, rutin, pseudohypericin, and sitosterol. It also contains compounds that regulate brain levels such as dopamine, interleukins, melatonin, monoamine oxidases, and serotonin (Sheahan, 2012).The compounds hypercicin and psuedohpericin have powerful antiviral effects, which can help with herpes, influenza A and B, hepatitis, and other specific virus.
Proanthocyanidins are known to have an antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, which could have positive effects on the heart and other related cardiovascular disorders. Hyperin and biflavone have been identified for their sedative compound, and amentoflavone acts as an anti-inflammatory, and a sedative. Tannins, astringent by nature, are responsible for the healing properties of the skin, such as burns or wound healing.The extracts from Hypericum perforatum have also been shown to possess clinical efficacy in the therapy of mild to moderate depression. Several in vitro studies have indicated that H. perforatum and its phloroglucinol constituent hyperforin act via a blockade of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA) and possibly dopamine (DA) reuptake in a manner similar to most of the current antidepressants (Chatterjee,1998 ).
Even though many people may use herbal supplements as medicine, they are not regulated by the FDA like over the counter drugs (St. John’s Wort, 2008).This means that there may be some dangerous herbs available in stores. You must take this herb at your own risk.
Anything that works like a drug will have side effects. Hypericum perforatum taken alone usually does not cause immediate side effects. In a study done to look for side effects, 3,250 people took the plant for 4 weeks. Overall, about 2. 4% reported problems. The most common complaints were mild stomach discomfort (0.
6%), allergic reactions—primarily rash—(0. 5%), tiredness (0. 4%), and restlessness (0. 3%) (Hubner, 2002).It is also known to cause dry mouth, headache, and extreme sensitivity to light.
People that take Hypericum perforatum should wear sunscreen and extra protection when going out in the sun and should avoid tanning beds. In some patients when this herb is taken for more than a month suddenly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, dry mouth, and extreme fatigue. Anyone considering use of Hypericum perforatum supplements should be extremely careful about combining the supplements with other medications.It can interact with a large number of medications. In most cases, it will decrease the effectiveness of the medication; in other cases, however, may increase the effects of a medication (Ehrlich, 2007). Some of the drugs it may make less effective include allergy drugs, Digoxin, drugs that suppress the immune system, and birth control pills.
If you are taking any sedatives it can increase the sedating effect. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that Hypericum perforatum not be used with any type of antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV or AIDS (Ehrlich, 2007).Hypericum perforatum also should not be taken with medications used for mood disorders, or Triptans (which are medicines to treat migraines). Some of examples of these medications include Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft which can increase risk of side effects including serotonin syndrome(Ehrlich, 2007). This is a potentially fatal complication of the brain chemistry involving confusion, fever, hallucinations, poor coordination, nausea, vomiting, shakiness, restlessness, sweating, and other symptoms caused by an increase in serotonin activity(St. john's Wort ,2008).
It occurs when you take medications that cause high levels of serotonin to accumulate your body. This is just some of the possible interactions it may cause, but not all, please be cautious and talk to your healthcare provider or your pharmacist about possible interactions with other medications you are taking. Hypericum perforatum also should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Nursing infants of mothers who take it can experience drowsiness, and colic Hypericum perforatum is most often taken in liquid or pill form.The most common used dose in studies has been 300mg, three times a day. Preparations in the United State have different amounts of active ingredients in them.
You should be alert for any of the following side effects while taking Hypericum perforatum allergic reaction, stomach upsets, fatigue and restless, allergic reactions, high blood pressure, anxiety, vomiting, nausea. Stop taking the herbal and notify your doctor.
