St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of my favorite plants to show kids. Firstly, the leaves have translucent pinpoint circles in them which you can see when you hold up to the light. The second interesting aspect is that if you crush a leaf between your fingers, you will get a reddish oil. For anyone who has ever purchased the extract, you know that it is a very deep red.
According to Grieve’s Modern Herbal: “Its name Hyperieum is derived from the Greek and means ‘over an apparition,’ a reference to the belief that the herb was so obnoxious to evil spirits that a whiff of it would cause them to fly.” I don’t know about any of that, but it’s another interesting tidbit for kids. 😉
Unless, by “evil spirits” they meant viruses and depression. In which case, it is a great translation.
St. John’s Wort is most popularly known as a nervine and treatment for mild to moderate depression. Unfortunately it is also and inducer of the Cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, which is the most active phase 1 enzyme in the liver. If you are on any medications, you should probably not start taking St. John’s Wort. Being an inducer of that enzyme can either inactivate a drug more quickly if the enzyme breaks down the drug, or increase levels in your system if the enzyme activates the drug.
If you are not taking any pharmaceutical drugs, then welcome to the wonderful world of St. John’s Wort! As an anti-depressant it works similarly to a few classes of drugs, because it slows down the MAO and COMT enzymes that break down serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It also slows the reuptake of GABA. The true mechanism of action of this plant is unknown, but in-vitro studies showed effects on the above pathways. It’s also great for Seasonal Affective Disorder in which a person feels more depressed in the darkness of winter. The mnemonic I used to remember this was imagining the sun coming through the perforated leaves to help them feel better.
But that’s not St. John’s Wort’s only action, it is also an excellent antiviral, with in-vitro studies showing its effects on herpes, cytomegalovirus, and some influenza viruses. It’s also a great wound healer because of its nervine, vulnerary, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Even as a homeopathic, it is known in emergencies for its benefit to crush injuries, especially on areas with a lot of innervation, e.g. shutting your finger in a door.
Jen Williamson, ND is a native of Buffalo, New York who earned her Bachelor of Science at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. While in medical school, she became very involved in the student community, most notably as the President of the Student Government Association. For her service, upon graduation she was given the Outstanding Leadership Award.
In the spirit of Docere, the Naturopathic principle of the doctor’s role as teacher, Dr. Williamson was an adjunct professor in the Complementary and Alternative Therapies program at Daemen College. She has had articles in a variety of publications, includingNaturopathic Doctor News and Review, SheKnows.com, local Buffalo magazines and papers, as well as her own newsletter, blog and website. While practicing in Buffalo, she also offered over 30 different classes to the public at various events and locations.
In 2012, Dr. Williamson moved to Vermont to expand her practice of Naturopathic Medicine as well as provide an atmosphere that resonates with her medicine for her son, Victor, and husband, David. As a Primary Care Physician at Avalon Natural Medicine, Dr. Williamson focuses on mental/emotional, gastrointestinal, and endocrine disorders. Most of her treatment plans include a combination of nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedies, but she has also received additional training in Hair Trace Mineral Analysis and Bowel Nosodes.
