Hypericum perforatum-St. John's Wort
Synonyms: Hypericum vulgare
Family: Hypericaceae (St. John's Wort Family)
Other names : Tipton's weed, chase-devil, Klamath weed, Saint Johns Wort, Hypericum peroratum
Distribution : Japan, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Gilgat,Muzaffarabad
(Pakistan), Phalgham, Pulwama, Kulgam, Sonamarag, Ramban, Aru (Jammu and
Kashmir)
Ecological notes : Uncommon
Medicinal use of Hypericum perforatum-St. John's Wort : St. John's wort
has a long history of herbal use. It fell out of favour in the
nineteenth century but recent research has brought it back to prominence
as an extremely valuable remedy for nervous problems. In clinical
trials about 67% of patients with mild to moderate depression improved
when taking this plant. The flowers and leaves are analgesic,
antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, astringent, cholagogue, digestive,
diuretic, expectorant, nervine, resolvent, sedative, stimulant,
vermifuge and vulnerary. The herb is used in treating a wide range of
disorders, including pulmonary complaints, bladder problems, diarrhoea
and nervous depression. It is also very effectual in treating overnight
incontinence of urine in children. Externally, it is used in poultices
to dispel herd tumours, caked breasts, bruising etc. The flowering
shoots are harvested in early summer and dried for later use. Use the
plant with caution and do not prescribe it for patients with chronic
depression. The plant was used to procure an abortion by some native
North Americans, so it is best not used by pregnant women. See also the
notes above on toxicity. A tea or tincture of the fresh flowers is a
popular treatment for external ulcers, burns, wounds (especially those
with severed nerve tissue), sores, bruises, cramps etc. An infusion of
the flowers in olive oil is applied externally to wounds, sores, ulcers,
swellings, rheumatism etc. It is also valued in the treatment of
sunburn and as a cosmetic preparation to the skin. The plant contains
many biologically active compounds including rutin, pectin, choline,
sitosterol, hypericin and pseudohypericin. These last two compounds have
been shown to have potent anti-retroviral activity without serious side
effects and they are being researched in the treatment of AIDS. A
homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh whole flowering plant. It is
used in the treatment of injuries, bites, stings etc and is said to be
the first remedy to consider when nerve-rich areas such as the spine,
eyes, fingers etc are injured.
Chemical Constituents : hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforing,
flavonoids, essential oil, carotene, vitamin C, tannin, and resin.
Habitat of the herb : Open woods, hedgebanks and grassland, in dry sunny places, usually on calcareous soils.
Edible parts of St. John's Wort: The herb and the fruit are sometimes
used as a tea substitute. The flowers can be used in making mead.
Other uses of the herb: Yellow, gold and brown dyes are obtained from
the flowers and leaves. A red is obtained from the flowers after
acidification. A red dye is obtained from the whole plant when infused
in oil or alcohol. A yellow is obtained when it is infused in water. The
plant is said to contain good quantities of tannin, though exact
figures are not available.
Propagation of St. John's Wort: Seed - sow in a greenhouse as soon as it
is ripe in the autumn or in the spring. It normally germinates in 1 - 3
months at 10°C. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they
are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent
positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger
clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though
it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame
until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation of the herb : Open woods, hedgebanks and grassland, in dry sunny places, usually on calcareous soils.
Hypericum perforatum-St. John's Wort plants and seeds are available for research purpose.
The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
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