What is St. John’s Wort used for in herbal medicine?
St. John’s wort’s reputation as a wound-healing and healing herb dates back to antiquity. In the Middle Ages, it became a magical herb used to protect against evil spirits and ward off witches, hence its name “devil’s bane.” It is the St. John’s wort that blooms at the summer solstice and was hung in bouquets outside homes to protect them. In the 19th century, the red oil—obtained by macerating the flowers in olive oil in the sun—was used as a healing agent for burns. At the end of the 20th century, the tincture was recommended in America for treating mania and hysteria. In the 1980s, the first indications for oral use as an antidepressant emerged in Germany; today, it is one of the best-selling herbal health products in Europe and the United States as an antidepressant.
St. John’s wort is particularly valued in herbal medicine for its natural effect on emotional balance, especially when used in combination with other natural remedies for stress and sleep.
Latin name: Hypericum perforatum L.
Botanical family: Hypericaceae
Part used: Flowering tops harvested in summer
How does St. John’s Wort affect mood?
- Its pharmacological activity appears to result from a synergy between naphthodianthrones (hypericin),phloroglucinol derivatives(hyperforin), and various flavonoids
- Kielcorin (a xanthone) is believed to be one of the active ingredients
- St. John’s wort is a source ofmelatonin(Prof. Robert Anton)
- Mechanism of action: St. John’s wort inhibits the synaptosomal reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine with equal affinity
- Furthermore, in vitro, it exhibits affinity for adenosine, GABA(A) and (B), and glutamate receptors
- In vivo, it reduces beta-adrenergic activity at the receptor level and increases serotonin activity
How can St. John’s Wort be taken safely?
- Dry extracts in capsules or tablets, dosed at 200 to 300 mg per capsule
- Take 600 to 900 mg per day
- Preparation of St. John’s wort oil: macerate a generous handful of St. John’s wort flowers in ¾ liter of olive oil (in a wide-mouth container). Leave the bottle closed, in direct sunlight, for three weeks: the oil will gradually take on a beautiful red color. Caution: It is photosensitizing. Known for its soothing properties, this oil is traditionally used in natural treatments for burns and sunburn, as a complement to other healing products derived from herbal medicine.
Can St. John’s wort interact with other treatments?
- Photosensitizing (by inducing the formation of singlet oxygen)
- Interactions with medications that have a “narrow therapeutic index,” including antiretrovirals (anti-HIV drugs such asindinavir), digoxin, theophylline, vitamin K antagonists, cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, SSRI antidepressants,amitriptyline, cyclosporine, fexofenadine,indinavir, methadone, midazolam, nevirapine, phenprocoumon, simvastatin, tacrolimus, and warfarin. These interactions are related to cytochrome P450 enzyme induction and P-glycoprotein induction
- Possible reduction in the drug’s effect due to a decrease in plasma concentration, resulting from possible induction of the CYP2C9 isoenzyme, CYP3A4, and CYP1A2; induction of CYP3A activity, leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy of drugs metabolized by CYP3A; other sources report no alteration in the activity of CYP2C9, CYP1A2, and CYP2D6
- Interactions with protease and transcriptase inhibitors, the immunosuppressants cyclosporine and tacrolimus, irinotecan, imatinib, low-dose hormonal contraceptives, serotonergic antidepressants through induction of cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 (hyperforin) and P-glycoprotein (hypericin)
- Abruptly stopping St. John’s wort may therefore also lead to an increase in the plasma concentration of these medications
- St. John’s wort gradually and potently induces CYP3A4 activity; the elimination of ethinyl estradiol—a major CYP3A4 substrate—will be significantly accelerated in the presence of St. John’s wort; consequently, contraceptive effectiveness will no longer be guaranteed, and an alternative method of contraception will be necessary
- In 2014, the MHRA, (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency), the UK’s drug regulatory agency, issued a warning about the risk of interactions between St. John’s wort and progesterone-based hormonal contraceptives, low-dose combined oral contraceptives, and etonogestrel implants: 19 suspected interactions were reported between 2000 and 2014, including 15 unwanted pregnancies
- A few cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported in the literature in elderly patients treated with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant who had taken St. John’s wort
What active ingredients make St. John’s wort effective?
- Red pigments from the anthrone group (0.06–0.15%): naphthodianthrones, includinghypericin(the standard marker for extracts),pseudohypericin, isopseudohypericin, protopseudohypericin, and cyclopseudohypericin
- Phenolic compounds derived from phloroglucinol (2–5%):hyperforin (a prenylated derivative), adhyperforin, and hydroperoxycadiforin (the most promising candidate for antidepressant effects)
- Flavonoids:hyperoside, isoquercitroside, rutoside, quercetol
- Biflavonoids (0.1–0.5%):biapigenin, amentoflavone(its isomer)
- Xanthones in small quantities:tetrahydroxyxanthone (andkielcorinin the roots)
- Tannins and proanthocyanidols
- Essential oil: n-alkanes and monoterpenes
- Melatonin (4,490 ng/g)
St. John’s wort flowering tops, available in pharmacies, are covered by a WHO monograph, an EMA Community monograph, and a control monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia. They are listed in the French Pharmacopoeia’s list of medicinal plants.
How can St. John’s wort extract help reduce symptoms of nervous depression?
Depression is a common disorder that can be difficult to treat. Many patients seek natural solutions to reduce their symptoms. St. John’s wort extract is a popular remedy for mild to moderate depression. Here are some tips for using St. John’s wort extract to reduce symptoms of depression:
- Talk to your doctor: Before taking any dietary supplement, it’s important to talk to your doctor to find out if it’s appropriate for your condition and if it might interact with other medications you’re taking.
- Use a standardized extract: When purchasing St. John’s wort extract, make sure it is standardized to 0.3%hypericin. This is the effective dose used in clinical studies.
- Follow the dosage instructions: Recommended doses vary, but generally, it is advised to take 300 to 900 milligrams of St. John’s wort extract per day. It is important to follow the dosage instructions on the packaging or those provided by your doctor.
- Be patient: It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for St. John’s wort extract to begin having an effect on symptoms of depression. So be patient and continue taking St. John’s wort extract regularly.
- Do not take other medications with it: St. John’s wort extract may interact with other medications, including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, blood thinners, and more. Therefore, it is important not to take other medications without consulting your doctor.
In summary, St. John’s wort extract may be an option for reducing the symptoms of mild to moderate depression. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before using it, to use a standardized extract, to follow the dosage instructions, to be patient, and not to take other medications without medical advice.
What Stress and Sleep dietary supplements does Soin-et-Nature offer?
Soin-et-Nature offers a wide range of dietary supplements to help manage stress and improve sleep quality. Here are the main categories available:
- To restore lasting emotional balance, specific supplements support your psychological well-being.
- To promote restful sleep, natural solutions help improve the ability to fall asleep and the quality of sleep.
- To regulate the sleep cycle naturally, melatonin is a valuable ally against circadian rhythm disorders.
- To reduce the effects of daily stress, specially formulated supplements promote relaxation and calm.
- To cultivate serenity and well-being, specific formulas support a lasting state of calm and relaxation.
- To reap the benefits of Griffonia, this plant rich in 5-HTP promotes a stable mood and quality sleep.
- To naturally relieve symptoms of mild depression, St. John’s wort is an effective natural alternative.
- To build resilience against stress, Rhodiola is an ideal adaptogenic herb for supporting both body and mind.
These dietary supplements available on Soin-et-Nature offer natural solutions to restore calm and serenity, while promoting quality sleep and lasting emotional well-being.
