St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Research

Latin Name: Hypericum perforatum

Family: Hypericaceae

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Natural Medicines (2016).  St. John’s Wort Monograph.  Retrieved in July, 2016.  Retrieved from www.naturalmedicines.com
• Petersen, D. (2016).  Course Material.  HERB503, Advanced Herbal Materia Medica II.  American College of Healthcare Sciences.  www.achs.edu.
• Barnes, J., Anderson, L. A., & Phillipson, J. D. (2001). St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.): a review of its chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties. Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology, 53(5), 583-600.
• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.
• The name of this herb is associated with John the Baptist.  It is said that it blooms on the Saint’s birthday in early Summer, and bleeds on the anniversary of his beheading in late Summer.  Strangely, if you bruise the petals of this plant’s flower, a red, blood-looking liquid may ooze out.  From:  Weil, A., et al. (2010).  National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs.  National Geographic.  Washington D.C.
• St. John’s wort has been used since Greek and Roman times to treat burns, bruises, and wounds.  It has shown in multiple scientific studies to reduce depression.  Further, it’s hypericin constituent may by antiviral against herpes blisters and possibly HIV.  From:  Weil, A., et al. (2010).  National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs.  National Geographic.  Washington D.C.

SAFETY

• May interfere with multiple medications, consult a Doctor before use if taking medications (Petersen, 2016).
• Internal use may increase photosensitivity (Natural Medicines, 2016).
• Excessive use due to tannin content may cause digestive upset, constipation, or liver damage (Petersen, 2016).
• Insufficient evidence to recommend safe use during pregnancy (Natural Medicines, 2016).
• Avoid with lactation; may cause colic and drowsiness in infants (Natural Medicines, 2016).

ANTIDEPRESSIVE / ANXIETY

• In a Cochrane Review of 29 trials totaling 5,489 patients, St. John’s wort  was superior to the placebo in treating patients with major depression, and had a similar level of effectiveness as standard antidepressants with fewer side effects.  From:  Linde, K., Berner, M. M., & Kriston, L. (2008). St John’s wort for major depression. The Cochrane Library.
• In a thorough review of scientific research, the author concluded high quality evidence to support kava, passionflower, and galphimia for anxiety and St. John’s wort and saffron for depression. The author found promising evidence for turmeric for depression, ashwagandha for anxiety and depression, and for ginkgo as an adjunct treatment to schizophrenia. From: Sarris, J. (2018). Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10‐year updated review. Phytotherapy research, 32(7), 1147-1162.
• Multiple studies on the uses of herbs for mood disorders were reviewed.  Promising herbs included:  Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort), Piper methysticum (kava), Echium amoenum, Crocus sativus, Rhodiola rosea (golden root), Matricaria recutita (Roman chamomile), Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), Passiflora incanata (passionflower), and Scutellaria lateriflora (blue skullcap).  From:  Sarris, Jerome, et al. “Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence.” European neuropsychopharmacology 21.12 (2011): 841-860.
• A meta review of 23 randomised trials including a total of 1757 outpatients showed extracts of Hypericum perforatum were more effective than placebo fin treating mild to moderately severe depression.  From:  Linde, K., Ramirez, G., Mulrow, C. D., Pauls, A., Weidenhammer, W., & Melchart, D. (1996). St John’s wort for depression—an overview and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Bmj, 313(7052), 253-258.
• In a double blind randomized study with 52 multiple sclerosis patients, taking a blend of Crocus sativus, Hypericum perforatum, Cinnamon verum, and Vitis vinifera for four weeks significantly improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue. From: Adalat, M., Khalili, M., Ayromlou, H., Haririan, S., Rezaeizadeh, H., Safari, A. A., & Zargaran, A. (2018). Anti-Fatigue and Hypnotic Effects of a Traditional Herbal Extract on Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 16(8).
• Essential oils / herbs and their effect on human behavior was reviewed. St. John’s wort has shown to have an anxiolytic effect. Lavender has shown to decrease anxiety while improving sleep quality. Cannabis has a sedative effect and reduces anxiety. Bergamot has shown to improve relaxation. Olive oil has shown an anxiolytic effect. Black cummin has been both anxiolytic and anti-depressive. Valerian has shown to be a sedative that helps induce sleep. From: Castillo, M. A., Carrero, Y., Urdaneta, K. E., Renouf, M., Lubin, C., Nola, M., & Semprún-Hernández, N. (2018). ESSENTIAL OILS AS MODIFIERS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 21(1).

ANTIMICROBIAL

• Against 14 pathogenic bacteria and yeast specimens tested, the following plants showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity:  Eucalyptus camuldulensis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ecballium elaterium (squirting cucumber), Liquidambar orientalis (sweetgum), Cornus sanguinea (dogwood), Vitis vinifera (grape), Inula viscosa (fleabane), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort), and Punica granatum (pomegranate).  From:  Oskay, M., & Sarı, D. (2007). Antimicrobial screening of some Turkish medicinal plants. Pharmaceutical Biology, 45(3), 176-181.
• Hyperforin is an antibacterial constituent of St. John’s wort against S. aureus.  From:  Schempp, C. M., Pelz, K., Wittmer, A., Schöpf, E., & Simon, J. C. (1999). Antibacterial activity of hyperforin from St John’s wort, against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus and gram-positive bacteria. The Lancet, 353(9170), 2129.
• A randomized controlled study of 149 participants showed that a topical formulation containing copper sulfate and Hypericum perforatum reduced herpes skin lesions.  From:  Clewell, A., Barnes, M., Endres, J. R., Ahmed, M., & Ghambeer, D. K. (2012). Efficacy and tolerability assessment of a topical formulation containing copper sulfate and hypericum perforatum on patients with herpes skin lesions: a comparative, randomized controlled trial. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 11(2), 209-215.

​​HERPES

• A randomized controlled study of 149 participants showed that a topical formulation containing copper sulfate and Hypericum perforatum reduced herpes skin lesions.  From:  Clewell, A., Barnes, M., Endres, J. R., Ahmed, M., & Ghambeer, D. K. (2012). Efficacy and tolerability assessment of a topical formulation containing copper sulfate and hypericum perforatum on patients with herpes skin lesions: a comparative, randomized controlled trial. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 11(2), 209-215.

SKIN HEALING

• A cream with St. John’s wort was effective in treating atopic dermatitis.  From:  Schempp, C. M., Hezel, S., & Simon, J. C. (2003). Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis with Hypericum cream. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind half-side comparison study. Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete, 54(3), 248-253.​​
• In a study of 50 patients with wound ulcers, an herbal ointment was applied twice a day for 28 days. It contained Symphytum officinale, Plantago major, Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Bellis perennis, Achillea millefolium, Salvia officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Olea europaea, Lavandula officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Cympobogon martini, Origanum vulgare, Eugenia caryophyllata, Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol, Cera alba, honey, and glycerol. Results showed significant healing of wounds. From: Oreščanin, V. (2016). Treatment of pressure ulcers with Bioapifit® wound healing herbal ointment-a preliminary study. IJRDO: J Biol Sci, 2(10), 1-15.

​​EAR PAIN  

• Naturopathic ear drops containing allium sativum, verbascum thapsus, calendula flores, hypericum perfoliatum, lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil reduced ear pain in a double blind study of children.  From:  Sarrell, E. M., Cohen, H. A., & Kahan, E. (2003). Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Pediatrics, 111(5), e574-e579.

​​MENOPAUSE

• An herbal combination of black cohosh and St. John’s wort reduced menopausal symptoms in a double-blind randomized placebo-control study of 301 women.  From:  Uebelhack, R., Blohmer, J. U., Graubaum, H. J., Busch, R., Gruenwald, J., & Wernecke, K. D. (2006). Black cohosh and St. John’s wort for climacteric complaints: a randomized trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 107(2, Part 1), 247-255.

RESPIRATORY AID

• Medicinal plants reputed in traditional medicine with modern some research for treating asthma and coughs included: Aspalathus linearis (rooibos), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort), Andropogon muricatus (vetiver), Juniper excelsa (Greek juniper), Nepeta cataria (catnip), Hyocyamus niger (henbane), Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort), Fumaria parviflora (fineleaf fumitory), Terminalia bellerica (bahera), Acorus calamus (calamus), Carum roxburghianum (radhuni), Lens culinaris (lentils), and Lepidium sativum (cress).   From:  Khan, A. U., & Gilani, A. H. (2015). Natural Products Useful in Respiratory Disorders: Focus on Side‐Effect Neutralizing Combinations. Phytotherapy Research, 29(9), 1265-1285.

DIURETIC

• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a diuretic effect:  yarrow, lemon verbena, pineapple, dill, gorden asparagus, mugwort, oats, barberry, Indian tree, turnip, marigold, chicory, lemon, cucumber, pumpkin seed, quince, carrot, flix weed, horsetail, asafetida, fig, barely, St. John’s wort, bay, alfalfa, European pennyroyal, mulberry, water cress, catnip, black cumin, parsley, green bean, pistachio, cherry, pomegranate, purstane, savory, tomato, brinjal, tea, haritali, coltsfoot, nettle, bell bean, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

SLEEP

• In a double blind randomized study with 52 multiple sclerosis patients, taking a blend of Crocus sativus, Hypericum perforatum, Cinnamon verum, and Vitis vinifera for four weeks significantly improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue. From: Adalat, M., Khalili, M., Ayromlou, H., Haririan, S., Rezaeizadeh, H., Safari, A. A., & Zargaran, A. (2018). Anti-Fatigue and Hypnotic Effects of a Traditional Herbal Extract on Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 16(8).

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Traumeel is an herbal formulation including Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis, Achillea millefolium, Matricaria chamomilla, Symphytum officinale, Atropa belladonna, Aconitum napellu, Bellis perennis, Hypericum perforatum, Chinacea angustfolia, Echinacea purpurea, Hamamelis virginica, Mercurius solubilis, and Hepar sulfuris. In a review of research, the author concluded that Traumeel is an effective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for treating pain and inflammation, especially related to stomatitis for chemotherapy patients and musculoskeletal injuries. From: Grech, D., Velagala, J., Dembek, D. J., & Tabaac, B. (2018). Critical Literature Review of the Homeopathic Compound Traumeel for Treatment of Inflammation. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 9(03), 67

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/5/19