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St. John’s wort: a natural antidepressant

20.6.2023

Translation: Elicia Payne

For centuries, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been used to treat various ailments. Studies have proved the effect against stress and mental exhaustion: Hypericum perforatum relieves depressive symptoms.

Even the Swiss doctor Paracelsus called [St. John's wort](/search?q=John's wort) a «universal medicine for the whole person». To this day, Hypericum perforatum, the botanical name of the inconspicuous plant, is used for the natural treatment of various diseases. The most well-known effect of St. John's wort is its mood-lifting property.

Medicinal plant with well-researched effect

What’s been used in medicine for a long time is now being scientifically examined. In fact, St. John's wort is one of the most researched medicinal plants around. In thousands of studies, the medicinal effects of the plant have been put to the test – and confirmed in many ways. The herb promotes the healing of wounds and has an antiviral effect. But the most common application is for stress and mental exhaustion. St. John's wort is a natural antidepressant.
The perennial plant is native to our region as well as Asia and parts of North Africa. It’s characterised by its small yellow flowers, which usually bloom from June to August and serve as food for bees.

How St. John's wort works

The name perforatum comes from the numerous, tiny oil glands on the leaves and flowers that look like holes when seen in transmitted light. These glands contain a substance called hypericin, which plays an important role in the medicinal properties of St. John's wort.

Traditionally, it was used to treat wounds, inflammation and gastrointestinal complaints. It’s available as a cream, ointment, tea, tincture or in capsule or tablet form. In naturopathy, red oil extracted from St. John's wort is used for sunburn, muscle and nerve pain, neck tension and lumbago (pain in the lower back).

Plus it’s used as a herbal antidepressant. Studies have shown that St. John's wort can be as effective as conventional antidepressant medications for mild to moderate depression. However, with fewer side effects. It’s believed that the ingredients of the plant affect the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain and have a mood-lifting effect.

Be careful, there are still side effects

Even though St. John's wort is considered a natural alternative for depression and doesn’t require a prescription, you should still follow some precautions. It can interact with other medications such as blood-thinning agents, oral contraceptives, and certain cardiac medications. Therefore, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking St. John's wort. Highly concentrated forms can also make the skin more sensitive to light. And a little patience is required, since the mood-lifting effect unfolds only after two to three weeks.

Header image: Anna Sandner

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Anna Sandner

Senior Editor

Anna.Sandner@galaxus.de

Science editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always outside - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.

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