Benefits of Hypericum

Plants of the genus Hypericum are frequently known as St. John's wort, and have been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. Hypericum contains several chemical compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, which give the plants its health-related properties, according to the website Depression Guide. Researches have analyzed the antidepressant and anxyolitic effects of this plant, reports HBC Protocols, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties, the Journal of Pharmacology says.

Antidepressant

• Scientific studies on Hypericum show the herb increases the activity of serotonin and noradrenaline, two important neurotransmitters, in a similar way of regular antidepressants, with the advantage of fewer side effects, the mental health charity Mind reports. Research compared the use of the Hypericum extract with placebo in 50 patients of neurotic depression. The conclusions showed 80 percent of the patients using the extract reported health improvement while only 44 percent had the same response in the placebo group, Holistic Herbalist says.

Anti-inflammatory

• The yellow flowers of Hypericum have been used as the main ingredient to make oil preparations externally applied to treat hemorrhoids and skin inflammations, the Depression Guide reports. Research performed in 2002 at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of Hypericum extract in chronic diseases, The Journal of Pharmacology says.

Anxyolitic

• Anxyolitics are substances able to reduce anxiety. Hypericum extract can increase the melatonin hormone secretion at night, causing relaxation and reliving insomnia, according to Holistic Herbalist. Some commercial compounds combine Hypericum with other herbs, such as lemon balm (Melissa officianalis) and hops (Humulus lupulus), which also show sleep-inducing and relaxing properties, reports Mind.