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What Is Hypericum Perforatum 3X?

Homeopathic remedies may have strange sounding names, but when you understand the nomenclature, you can feel more comfortable with the remedy itself. A remedy is given the botanical name of the herb from which it is derived, and the number and letter following it are a indicator of the remedy's potency.

  1. Identification

    • Hypericum Perforatum is the botanical name for St. John's wort, a perennial plant designated a noxious weed, found in all of the contiguous United States, except Utah, Arizona, Florida and Alabama. Hypericum Perforatum 3X is a homeopathic remedy made from this plant in a 3X potency, as will be explained.

    Function

    • One of the herb's active compounds, hypericin, functions as an antidepressant for mild to moderate depression. It has also shown anti-cancer properties, when stimulated by certain wavelengths of light, in its apparent capacity to cause cancer cell apoptosis, or cell suicide. Studies have shown that hyperforin, also present in the herb, has the same effect on certain tumor cell lines through an different mechanism.

    Homeopathic Potency Designations

    • Potency designations include both a number and a letter. The number refers to the number of dilutions the tincture has undergone, while the letter refers to the proportions used and the number of succussions (shaking) in preparation. The larger the number, the higher the potency. The letters are actually Roman numerals, X signifying 10 times and C, 100 times. Therefore, a 12X preparation is less potent than a 2C, since 12x10 is less than 2x100.

    Commercial Preparation

    • First the manufacturer prepares a mother tincture. They grind the herb, then soak it in 60 to 70 percent alcohol for about three weeks, at which time they strain out the herb. To make a 3X solution of Hyericum Perforatum, they dilute one part mother tincture with nine parts alcohol, signified by the "X," for 10 times. They take one part of this new liquid and dilute it again with nine parts alcohol, making the third dilution.

    Homeopathic Viewpoint

    • Although it would appear that dilutions of one part in hundred (C) are less concentrated than those of one part in 10 (X), the homeopathic viewpoint is that this process potentizes the tincture so that it is actually more effective. In general, higher potencies are used for chronic conditions. Lower potencies are used for acute or newly diagnosed conditions. Hypericum Perforatum 3X is a lower potency product, with preparations of 6X, 12X and 30X also available on the market.

    Caution

    • Photosensitivity from this remedy may cause sunburn or rash, but it is considered an infrequent side effect.

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