14 PROPERTIES OF ST. JOHN'S WORT (ST. JOHN'S WORT) - ECONOMÍA - 2025

There are many health properties of St. John's wort (St. John's wort): it has antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects, it is healing, antibacterial, helps treat enuresis, relieves premenstrual syndrome and others that I will explain below.

This plant, also called St. John's wort or St. John's wort, is known in botany as "Hypericum perforatum". It is used to treat a wide variety of both external and internal conditions. It is mainly used to treat depression or low mood, inflammation, and pain.

It is a perennial plant with intense yellow flowers. They grow naturally in different parts of the world, especially in some areas of Europe and Asia.

Its name is due to the fact that it usually flowers in the period of the San Juan festival (June 24). On the other hand, "perforatum" comes from some small points that have its leaves. These contain the essential oil of the plant, and can be seen against the light.

This substance can be found very easily in herbalists. It can be purchased in different formats such as capsules, liquid extracts, oils, ointments, etc.

Many people decide to take it on their own to improve their mood, although it has many more properties. In the latest research, it is being discovered that St. John's wort can also be effective for all types of inflammation, cancer, viral and bacterial diseases; among other.

However, like all medications, St. John's wort can interact with other drugs and cause serious side effects.

History of St. John's wort

This plant has been used since ancient Greece, and has a long history of use as a treatment for mood.

In the Middle Ages, they used it a lot to "scare away demons." Around the 1800s, it was called “nervina” since it was chosen to solve nervous disorders. In the early 1900s its purely antidepressant use began.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of St. John's Wort is not yet fully understood. It appears to contain at least 12 biologically active components.

Among them are hypericin (a type of naphthodiantrones) and hyperforin, which are those with the greatest medical activity. Although there are also flavonoids, xanthones, phloroglucinols…

Hypericin is the substance that gives the red color to oils made from St. John's wort. Specifically, it is found in flowers, in the black points of their petals. Hypericin has antidepressant and antiviral effects, although it can cause photosensitivity (extreme sensitivity to light).

As for hyperforin, it seems to have a very powerful effect in relieving anxiety and depression. Flavonoids are found in the leaves and stem of the plant. They act as antioxidants and reduce the risk of cancer.

Other additional compounds such as tannins have also been identified, which possess vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to lemons, quercetin and rutin.

What effects does St. John's wort have on our brain? It seems that this substance acts on our nervous system by raising the levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter of happiness.

For our brain to function properly, our neurons need to release and absorb a certain amount of serotonin. If it is very high, problems such as serotonin syndrome can arise. As if it is very low, depression may appear.

What St. John's wort causes is an increase in the available amount of serotonin by blocking an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). This enzyme is responsible for destroying the serotonin that it finds in its path.

On the other hand, it also prevents neurons from re-uptaking serotonin inward. Thus, it keeps serotonin out of the cell to be effective.

Properties and uses of St. John's wort

St. John's wort has been used for a wide variety of conditions. Mainly it has antidepressant, antiseptic, expectorant, strengthening the immune system, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Below, you can discover the unexpected properties of this famous herb.

1- Antidepressant effects

St. John's wort has been widely used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany as a natural antidepressant. This is the most common use for St. John's wort, especially for treating mild and moderate depression.

According to research, this substance is equivalent to the action of antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), amitriptyline, and maprotiline. Furthermore, it is clearly more effective than placebo (Istikoglou, Mavreas, & Geroulanos, 2010).

It appears that its antidepressant effects are due to the action of hypericin and hyperforin. As mentioned above, these substances regulate the levels of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and L-glutamate.

A low level of these substances seems to be associated with depression, however, the mechanism is not entirely clear and more complex than it seems. For this reason, it is dangerous to take St. John's wort without medical supervision or in combination with other antidepressants.

This substance, as you will see later, interacts with other drugs and can have adverse effects. It can even increase the risk of death from serotonin syndrome or suicide.

2- Anti-inflammatory effects

St. John's wort has a powerful anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective function. In fact, a decrease in the blood of enzymes responsible for colon inflammation has been shown in rats.

In this way, the incidence of gastric ulcers was reduced. It also relieves swelling of the skin and wounds applied as an oil. Specifically, the main components that cause this effect are quercetin and bioflavonoids.

3- Healing effects

St. John's wort has been used topically for a wide variety of dermatological problems. Thus, it has proven effective in relieving superficial wounds, burns, bruises, cuts, bruises and ulcers.

Although it can also be used for cosmetic purposes, since in the form of a mask it helps to eliminate acne, blackheads and excessive production of oil on the face.

This activity appears to be due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action. As well as its ability to stimulate fibroblasts, collagen production and keratinocyte differentiation (Yücel, Kan, Yesilada & Akin, 2016). In short, it accelerates the healing of any skin damage.

4- Antibacterial and antiviral effects

The antibacterial properties of St. John's wort were defined in 1959 by Russian scientists. The main component that exerts this effect is hyperforin, since it has been shown that it prevents the growth of certain microorganisms.

On the other hand, it has also been proven effective against certain types of viruses. For example, the flavonoids and catechins present in this plant are useful in destroying the flu virus.

Additionally, hypericin appears to have activity against herpes viruses, Sendai virus (in animals), hepatitis B, and HIV. Therefore, it is used for the treatment of AIDS.

5- Anti-cancer effects

The hyperforin and hypericin found in St. John's wort also work against cancer cells. The first, inhibits the growth of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death). In this way, it causes cancer cells to die through a series of chemical phenomena.

Hypericin has also been shown in various investigations to block the growth of various types of neoplastic tissues: gliomas, neuroblastomas, adenomas, mesotheliomas, melanomas, carcinomas, sarcomas, and leukemia.

However, more research is needed to verify its efficacy, mechanisms of action and possible interactions or consequences.

6- Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects

Another property of St. John's wort is its ability to reduce oxidative stress. This is due to its content in lutein (protects eyesight), vitamin C, carotenoids, as well as hypericin and flavonoids.

Thus, the body is more resistant to the oxidative effects of pollution, preservatives and certain chemicals. As well as aging, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

7- expectorant effect

This plant has the ability to promote the expulsion of accumulated mucus in the bronchi and lungs. Therefore, it helps to recover faster from chest infections and coughs.

8- analgesic effect

In its form as a topical oil, it is useful for pain relief. It is used to reduce cramps, neuralgia or pain in the nerves, and neuropathies.

Arthritis, low back pain and pain caused by gout, sciatica or fibromyalgia; they can be relieved if St. John's wort is taken as a tea.

9- diuretic effect

St. John's wort prevents fluid retention and stimulates the elimination of toxins through the urine.

10- Helps to remedy enuresis

Enuresis or infantile incontinence can be controlled with the help of St. John's wort. On the one hand, it has diuretic effects that help the little one retain more fluid by fortifying their muscles. Meanwhile, it exerts a relaxing effect by preventing the nerves from influencing the bladder.

11- digestive effects

This plant can be ingested to heal ulcers, sensitivity or irritation of the gastrointestinal system. Helps treat gastroenteritis, diarrhea, gastritis (stomach inflammation) and dysentery.

These effects come from the well-known antibacterial, astringent, and anti-inflammatory qualities of St. John's wort.

12- Relieves premenstrual syndrome

It appears that St. John's wort can help reduce the symptoms of this syndrome in some women. It also appears to regulate mood and alleviate anxiety associated with menopause.

It acts on both physical and emotional symptoms, reducing irritability, breast tenderness, cramps and food cravings. In one study, it was found to reduce the intensity of these symptoms by 50% (University of Maryland, Medical Center).

On the other hand, it also helps to suppress menstrual pain. As well as the regulation of menstruation if it is very reduced, or excessively abundant.

13- Helps to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that arises during the fall and winter season. Apparently, its appearance is influenced by the absence of sunlight.

To improve the mood of these patients, St. John's wort has been shown to be effective, especially when combined with phototherapy (exposing the patient to light).

14- May be useful to treat opiate withdrawal syndrome

As indicated by Klemow et al. (2011), St. John's wort extract appears to activate opioid receptors, but without causing withdrawal syndrome. Therefore, it exerts effects similar to those of opium without causing addiction.

In rats it has been shown to reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms. Its effect is comparable to clonidine, an approved and widely used drug for this syndrome.

How is it taken?

For an adult with mild or moderate depression, the recommended daily dose is between 300 and 900 mg of St. John's wort extract. However, in patients with severe depression it has been administered about 1800 mg daily. Doses are normally divided into three doses with meals.

In children 6 years and older, a lower dose is recommended, about 150 or 200 mg of this extract.

If you prefer to take it as an infusion, the recommended amounts are between 1 or 2 tablespoons of the San Juan plant. They should be boiled for 10 minutes in 240 ml of water, and drink only one dose a day.

It is important to know that if used for depression, St. John's wort may take 3 to 6 weeks to work.

On the other hand, it is not advisable to interrupt treatment with this plant suddenly because it can cause unpleasant effects. Therefore, professionals advise reducing the dose little by little until it is completely stopped.

St John's wort side effects and interactions

St. John's wort is seen as a natural product and therefore seems harmless. However, it acts like any drug. That is, it has interactions with other substances, side effects, it is dangerous to abuse it and it is not valid for everyone.

For this reason, it is necessary to first consult with the doctor if you can take this supplement and in what dose. In addition to taking special care if you take other medications.

It is true that the side effects of St. John's wort are very mild, especially when compared to other drugs. These occur in some people and consist of skin rashes, tiredness, headaches and stomachaches, nervousness, dizziness, and dry mouth.

A well-known side effect is increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. That is why it is recommended to use long clothing or sunscreen if you have very fair skin.

On the other hand, it is not recommended to take in pregnant women, those who are breastfeeding or with fertility problems, as it can have negative consequences. It has also been observed that it could worsen the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, especially if these patients take methylphenidate.

It has also been observed that if you are at risk of developing some type of psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia), St. John's wort is not recommended because it could have facilitating effects of psychosis.

Something similar happens with people with bipolar disorder. They cannot take this plant because it seems to increase mania, a phase of this disorder in which the patient is excessively energetic but irritable.

St. John's wort has numerous interactions with other drugs. Its components appear to induce intestinal and liver enzymes that destroy other drugs or metabolize their inactive forms.

Therefore, it should not be combined with antidepressants (SSRIs), barbiturates, cyclosporine, alcohol or other drugs, chemotherapeutics, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, triptan (for headache), etc.

References

1. Borras Blasco, J., Navarro Ruiz, A., & Gozález Delgado, M. (2001). St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum sp). Hospital Pharmacy, 25 (6), 356-626.
2. Grass of San Juan. (June 10, 2008). Obtained from EmpowHER: empowher.com.
3. Istikoglou, CI, Mavreas, V., & Geroulanos, G. (2010). History and therapeutic properties of Hypericum Perforatum from antiquity until today. Psychiatriki, 21 (4), 332-8.
4. Klemow KM, Bartlow A., Crawford J., et al. (2011). Chapter 11: Medical Attributes of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press / Taylor & Francis; 2011. Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
5. Properties of St. John's wort. (sf). Retrieved on December 26, 2016, from SaberPropiedades: saberpropiedades.net.
6. St. John's wort. (sf). Retrieved on December 26, 2016, from the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): umm.edu.
7. St. John's Wort. (sf). Retrieved on December 26, 2016, from Herbs2000: herbs2000.com.
8. St. John's Wort and Depression: In Depth. (sf). Retrieved on December 26, 2016, from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): nccih.nih.gov.
9. Yücel, A., Kan, Y., Yesilada, E., & Akın, O. (2016). Effect of St.John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) oily extract for the care and treatment of pressure sores; a case report. Journal Of Ethnopharmacology.