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Introduction
Who doesn't know all about St. John's wort? This lanky herbaceous plant with yellow flowers filled with 50 to 60 stamens is the best selling medicinal herb in the United States and much of the rest of the world. The original uses of this versatile plant, however, were treating bedwetting, rheumatism, and gout. A St. JohnÍs wort oil made with the blossoms and olive, sunflower, or, preferably, wheat germ oil has been used for centuries for treating wounds and burns.
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The major active ingredients in St. John's wort include hypericin and other dianthrones, flavonoids, xanthones, and hyperforin. For many years researchers believed the antidepressant properties of St. John's wort were a result of its hypericin contnet and the inhibition of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, however, more recent research suggests that its antidepressant actions may be a result of other active constituents, such as hyperforin, and flavonoids. Clinical studies suggest that St. John's wort extracts may exert their antidepressant actions by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This action may be due to hyperforin. St. John's wort's may work as an antidepressant, by making more of hyperforin (a neurotransmitter) available to the brain.
Constituents
Hypericin and related compounds, rutin, bitters, and tannins.
Parts Used
The dried flowering tops and leaf.
Typical Preparations
Traditionally used as a tea, sometimes available in tea bags; also used to make a red St. JohnÍs oil for use in liniments and lotions, but only from fresh material. May also be administered as a capsule or extract for convenience.
Summary
A large volume of scientific research suggests that only a standardized extract delivering a rather high dose of the hypericin found in St. JohnÍs wort treats depression„so how can the successful use of the much milder traditional teas of St. JohnÍs wort to treat depression be explained?
St. JohnÍs wort as a whole herb gives the body "just enough medicine" to overcome the physical aches and pains and mild viral infections that keep the brain from recovering from depression. Nineteenth century Eclectic physicians in the United States used St. JohnÍs wort to relieve pain caused by injuries to the spine and puncture wounds in the hands and feet. The herb was noted for its ability to slow frequent urination, and treat "throbbing pains" of any origin.
Precautions
St. JohnÍs wort extracts may increase sensitivity to sunlight and risk of sunburn, but this is extremely rare when the whole herb is used.
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