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Common name: |
St.John’s wort |
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Family: |
Hypericaceae |
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Parts used: |
Flowering tops |
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Chemistry: |
Hypericin (naphthodianthrone), hyperforin and phenolic flavonoidsn inc rutin., volatile oil, resin, tannins, glycosides. |
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Main actions: |
Anti-depressant. Anxiolytic. Nervine restorative. |
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Other Actions: |
Alterative, sedative, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, astringent, local antimicrobial and analgesic. |
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Dosage: |
2 – 6ml TID |
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Safety:
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Many interactions with drugs, because Hypericum affects P450 liver enzyme pathway. Photosensitive dermatitis, interacts with anti-virals, cytotoxics, blood thinners, hormonals, immunosuppressants, cardiac glycosides, HIV nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and other protease inhibitors. Avoid in psychosis and bipolar depression, manic people. Drug interactions due to increased activity of cytochrome P450 enzyme responsible for certain detoxification processes. Do not prescribe concurrently with drugs that are required in the body at constant levels. May cause breakthrough bleeding or pregnancies if taking pill. Concurrent use with SSRIs cautioned because of the potential effect of this herb on serotonin levels and risk of serotonin syndrome. Organ transplant – when still on drugs. Stop taking 1 week before any operation. On the Pill or epilepsy drugs as Hypericum excretes drugs faster. |
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