What Is Hypericum Used for?

Hypericum Perforatum, also known as St. John's Wort, is a plant with a storied history. Today, it's commonly used to treat bruises, inflammation and depression. Over the centuries, it's been revered as a potent healing herb and reviled as an invasive weed.

Lore and History

• Hypericum's yellow flowers bloom around St. John's Day, which is June 24. The plant has been known as St. John's Wort since at least medieval times, when people believed St. John would appear to them if they put the herb under their pillows on his holiday. Since then, hypericum has remained a favorite of folk healers, herbalists and homeopaths.

Common Uses

• According to herb expert Steve Foster, hypericum has been commonly used to treat everything from nervousness to water retention. The plant is made into tea or herbal capsules to treat depression, anxiety or insomnia, and hypericum tinctures are applied directly on hemorrhoids, bruises and inflammation. ABC Homeopathy lists hypericum as a treatment for ailments ranging from hair loss to back injuries and post-partum pain.

Clinical Studies

• Some studies have concluded that St. John's Wort can be as effective as prescription anti-depressants, but results may be slower. Steven Foster points out that the herb offers gradual relief for patients with depression, "and often taking two to three months before producing beneficial results." Hypericum Buyer's Club, which sells St. John's Wort supplements, lists a 2002 double-blind, placebo-controlled study at a Paris hospital. There, doctors reported hypericum significantly decreased depression symptoms in more than half of the patients who took it.

Cautions and Considerations

• Hypericum supplements are readily available over the counter, but herb expert Steven Foster cautions against a too-casual approach to treating depression. As his website points out, depression can be a serious health risk that warrants professional diagnosis and monitoring.