St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort: A Natural Remedy with a Rich History

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering plant from the genus Hypericum, widely recognized for its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. With over 2,000 years of usage in traditional medicine, it has established itself as a powerful herb for treating mood disorders and various physical ailments.

What does St. John’s Wort do for the body?

Historically, the plant has been used to treat various nervous system conditions, including depression and anxiety. It is known for its ability to support mental well-being and relieve symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping. In addition to its mood-enhancing effects, St. John’s Wort is also employed in managing heart palpitations, symptoms of ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and menopause-related issues.

While the name may sound quirky, it carries historical significance. The herb blooms in/around June, coinciding with the feast day of St. John the Baptist, from whom the plant derives its name. The word "wort" is an old English term for plant, further deepening the connection to ancient traditions.

Today, St. John’s Wort is most commonly known as a natural remedy for depression and anxiety. It has also found use in treating conditions such as PMS, menopause symptoms, and inflammation. Many people prefer it due to its relatively low side effect profile compared to prescription antidepressants.

What Is St. John’s Wort?

St. John’s Wort belongs to the Hypericum genus, which includes around 400 species of herbs and shrubs. This herb produces striking yellow flowers with four to five petals and numerous stamens. These flowers are commonly used to make extracts, capsules, and teas, which possess therapeutic properties.

Native to Europe, St. John’s Wort thrives in meadows, roadsides, and woodlands across the United States and Canada. Though not native to Australia, it is now cultivated there for medicinal purposes, contributing 20% to the world’s supply.

St. John’s Wort contains several biologically active compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, which are considered responsible for its medicinal effects. It also contains flavonoids like rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol, which contribute to its therapeutic properties.

St. John’s Wort Benefits for Skin

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) offers numerous benefits for skin health, thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. Traditionally used for treating wounds and skin irritations, this herb can help reduce redness, swelling, and discomfort.

1. Promotes Wound Healing
   St. John’s Wort has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. Its antibacterial properties help prevent infections in minor wounds while promoting faster healing. It may also help minimize the appearance of scars.

2. Soothes Skin Irritations
   Whether it’s eczema, psoriasis, or general skin inflammation, St. John’s Wort can be a soothing remedy. It reduces inflammation and redness while calming irritation. Its active compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin, can regulate the inflammatory response in the skin, leading to clearer and more comfortable skin.

3. Helps Relieve Sunburns
   Applied topically, St. John’s Wort can help soothe the discomfort caused by sunburn. It has been traditionally used for its ability to reduce skin damage from UV exposure and promote skin regeneration.

4. Fights Acne
   Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, St. John’s Wort can also be effective for acne-prone skin. It helps reduce bacteria on the skin’s surface, preventing breakouts and promoting clearer skin.

5. Improves Skin Elasticity
   St. John’s Wort is believed to enhance skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production, which helps keep the skin firm and youthful. Regular use of the herb may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

6. Natural Treatment for Burns and Scars
   The herb's ability to speed up skin cell regeneration makes it a popular choice for treating minor burns, scars, and stretch marks. It helps the skin recover faster, minimizing scarring and discoloration.

Incorporating St. John’s Wort into your skincare routine, either through creams, oils, or topical extracts, can support overall skin health and provide relief from common skin concerns.

Health Benefits of St. John’s Wort

1. Natural Antidepressant Numerous studies show that St. John’s Wort can help alleviate mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Compared to many prescription antidepressants, it is often associated with fewer side effects, such as sexual dysfunction. However, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting it, especially if you're already on medications for depression.

A meta-analysis from 2017, which reviewed 27 clinical trials and over 3,800 patients, concluded that St. John’s Wort offers similar efficacy to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly prescribed antidepressants.

2. Eases PMS Symptoms St. John’s Wort can also help relieve PMS symptoms, including mood swings, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances. Studies have shown that it may alleviate the physical and behavioral symptoms of PMS more effectively than a placebo.

3. Menopause Relief As an herbal remedy, St. John’s Wort has been used to alleviate psychological and physical symptoms of menopause. A study published in Advance in Therapy showed significant improvement in the psychological symptoms of menopause after 12 weeks of St. John’s Wort treatment.

4. Combats Inflammation and Skin Irritations St. John’s Wort has natural antibacterial properties and is effective in treating skin conditions like eczema, burns, and hemorrhoids. Its anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory genes, making it a popular choice for treating minor wounds and skin irritations.

5. Supports Smoking Cessation Research indicates that St. John’s Wort may help reduce the symptoms of tobacco withdrawal, aiding in smoking cessation. Its effects on dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake play a role in managing withdrawal symptoms.

The Historical Significance of St. John’s Wort

The history of St. John’s Wort stretches back more than 2,000 years, with the plant’s healing properties documented by ancient civilizations. The ancient Greeks were the first to recognize its medicinal value, using it to treat nervous disorders, wounds, and various ailments.

St. John’s Wort was so highly regarded that it was believed to possess mystical properties, including the ability to ward off evil spirits and protect against injuries. The plant’s association with St. John the Baptist further deepened its spiritual significance, with people in the Middle Ages using it in herbal remedies and potions for both physical and spiritual healing.

Over the centuries, St. John’s Wort has remained a staple in herbal medicine. Today, it is widely used across the globe as a natural treatment for mood disorders, skin conditions, and much more, cementing its place as one of the most popular herbal remedies in modern medicine.

St. John’s Wort for skin use

For skin use, St. John’s Wort is most commonly applied topically in the form of an oil or cream. The oil can be massaged directly into the skin to relieve minor burns, cuts, bruises, or irritations like eczema. It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that help calm redness, swelling, and discomfort. For best results, use a St. John’s Wort oil that has been infused with the plant’s active compounds. You can also find creams or balms with St. John’s Wort extract, which are effective in reducing irritation and promoting skin healing. Always perform a patch test before applying any topical product to ensure there’s no allergic reaction.

For ingestion

For ingestion, St. John’s Wort is most commonly consumed as a tea, capsule, or tincture. The dried herb can be steeped into a tea, but it's also available as capsules containing standardized extracts, typically providing 300–900 mg of the active compounds, hypericin and hyperforin, which have mood-enhancing properties. This dosage is commonly used for managing mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. If you prefer a more potent form, tinctures are an effective option, though they should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Important tip: St. John’s Wort can interact with certain medications (including antidepressants, birth control, and blood thinners), so it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider before incorporating it into your routine.