St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum super function.St. John's Wort Extract.

article content dotArticle Content:

St. John's Wort:Origin and Phytochemicals.

St. John's Wort Extract.INCI Name.HYPERICUM PERFORATUM EXTRACT,CAS.84082-80-4,EINECS ELINCS No282-026-4 photo picture image Phenolic compounds from Hypericum perforatum:

 Constituents: naphthodianthrones (including the red pigment hypericin, pseudohypericin and their biosynthetic precursors), flavones and flavonols (quercetin glycosides including quercitrin, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin), carotenes, essential oil, resin, tannins, pectin

 Dr.Jurgenliemk G, Nahrstedt A. find some result from researches:During a re-investigation of phenolic compounds from the dried crude drug material of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) 22 phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC; 14 of them were quantified using the same system. Twelve phenolic compounds were isolated from the plant material and their structures identified mainly by spectroscopic methods, among them quercetin-3-O-(2"-O-acetyl)-beta-D-galactoside as a new natural product. Cryptochlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, 3-O-[Z]-p-coumaroylquinic acid, isoorientin, cyanidin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, and astilbin were obtained for the first time from this source; the earlier suspected neochlorogenic acid, 3-O-[E]-p-coumaroylquinic acid, mangiferin, miquelianin and guaijaverin were confirmed.

 Medicinal Action and Uses:Aromatic, astringent, resolvent, expectorant and nervine. Used in all pulmonary complaints, bladder troubles, in suppression of urine, dysentery, worms, diarrhoea, hysteria and nervous depression, haemoptysis and other haemorrhages and jaundice. For children troubled with incontinence of urine at night an infusion or tea given before retiring will be found effectual; it is also useful in pulmonary consumption, chronic catarrh of the lungs, bowels or urinary passages. Externally for fomentations to dispel hard tumours, caked breasts, ecchymosis, etc.

 Collection:During the flowering period, from June to August. To make the macerated oil, pour half a litre of sunflower or almond oil onto 120g of flowers in a glass jar, then place in direct sunlight for about six weeks or longer until the liquid has turned bright red. Strain through muslin and decant off from any watery layer.

 Actions:Anxiolytic, sedative, astringent, anti-inflammatory, topically analgesic and antiseptic.

 Indications:Excitability, neuralgia, fibrositis, sciatica. Topically for wounds. Specifically indicated in menopausal neurosis.

 Therapeutics and Pharmacology:Hypericum has a thymoleptic action which results in an improved sense of well-being. It has long been used as a nerve healer in melancholic conditions, depression, exhaustion and convalescence. It is also used to treat conditions where there is a degree of overtension, such as insomnia, cramps and colic of the viscera and uterus, epilepsy, diarrhoea, and enuresis in children. Of the many conditions where nervous tension and depression occur together, one of the most common is the problems that can arise during menopause, and Hypericum helps to counter these symptoms. ESCOP recommends its use in mild to moderate depressive states (ICD-10, F32.0, F32.1). The flavonoid aglycones and quercitrin have an anxiolytic effect by inhibiting Type A monoamineoxidase (hypericin has a rather low activity). Both the restorative and relaxing actions of the herb are relatively long-term ones, so treatment should be continued for some time. Clinical trials have reported improved sleep quality, an increase in deep sleep phases, and an improvement in cognitive functions as well as significant improvement in mood and levels of interest and activity. In a preliminary study of a Hypericum preparation combined with light therapy in patients with seasonal affective disorders, the antidepressant effect of Hypericum was shown to be enhanced by light therapy.
 St. John's Wort Extract.INCI Name.HYPERICUM PERFORATUM EXTRACT,CAS.84082-80-4,EINECS ELINCS No282-026-4 photo picture image

 Hypericum has a reputation as an analgesic, and is used either internally or externally to treat neuralgic pain. The macerated oil can be applied externally for neuralgia and will ease the pain of sciatica. It also soothes burns by lowering the temperature of the skin. Hypericum can also be used to treat local and peptic ulcers and inflammation of the lining of the upper digestive tract. Its astringent action is due primarily to the high levels of tannins in the flowers, and the volatile oil has an anti-inflammatory action. Hypericum has been shown to stimulate the formation of granulation tissue, and an antibacterial action, attributed to hyperforin, has been observed experimentally, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus. Some anti-viral activity has been reported for hypericin against the HIV and hepatitis C viruses.

 Caution: There is no evidence of toxicity at therapeutic doses. However, cattle and sheep can develop photosensitivity if they consume the plant in large quantities, and several HIV+ve patients on large doses of Hypericum have reported rash, pruritis and erythema after exposure to UV light. This is thought to be due to the presence of hypericin. Therefore, excessive exposure to bright sunlight should be avoided whilst taking the herb. If a significant response in depressive disorders is not apparent after 6 weeks, the use of Hypericum should be discontinued; however, the antidepressive effect should not be expected until at least two weeks of treatment.

 Though the net effect of taking St. John's wort and 5-HTP may be the same, if taken together SJW and 5-HTP are even more effective. St. John's wort is a SSRI, a Serotonin reuptake inhibitor, (Actually SJW inhibits the reuptake of all three feel-good neurotransmitters: serotonin, nor-epinephrine, and dopamine) but 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin. What this means is that your body breaks 5-HTP down (in the neurons) into serotonin, the very chemical that St. John's wort manipulates to help you feel happier, calmer . . . The metaphor being; if you were an automobile you would be filling up your gas tank with 5-HTP, at which time the St. John's wort takes over, acting like a carburetor; instructing the serotonin where to (or in this case where not to) go. So, in essence, taking SJW and 5-HTP creates a synergy (1+1=3). Most studies were conducted using a dose of 50-100 mg. three times per day. Obesity patients 20 minutes before meals. The onset of action is fairly rapid, (3 to 5 days).

Last PageNext Page

Reference:

citations1.St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum super function.St. John's Wort Extract.

last edit date:7th,May.2009.