HERBAL MONOGRAPHSTuncok Y, Kozan O, Cavdar C, Guven H, Fowler J Separation
of cardiotonic from flavonoid compounds of the squill, Urginea
maritima Baker. Experientia, 33:447-8, Apr 15, 1969.
Tuncok Y, Kozan O, Cavdar C, Guven H, Fowler J Urginea
maritima (squill) toxicity. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol, 33:83-6,
1995.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika. Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Walli F. Grob PJ. Muller-Schoop J Antineoplastic constituents
of some Southern African plants. J Ethnopharmacol, 111:323-
35, Dec, 1980.
Walli F, Grob PJ. Miiller-Schoop J Pseudo-(venocuran-)lupus -
a minor episode in the history of medicine Schweiz Med
Wochenschr. 111:1398-405. Sep 19, 1981.
Walli F, Grob PJ, Muller-Schoop J Traditional medicine in
health care. J Ethnopharmacol, 111:19-22, Mar, 1980.St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
TRADE NAMES
St. John's Wort (available from numerous manufacturers and
as combination product), St. John's Wort Extract, Alterra,
Advanced St. John's Wort, St. John's Wort Herb, St. John's
Wort High Potency, St. John's Wort Preferred, St. John's
Wort Standardized Extract, St. John's Power Time Release,
Mood Support, KIRA, Centrum St. John's Wort, Hyperi-
calm, St. John's Powder 0.3%, Tension Tamer, Hypercalm,
St. John's Powder, St. John's Extra Strength
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts include the fresh buds
and flowers separated from the inflorescences, the aerial
parts collected during the flowering season and dried, and
the entire fresh flowering plant.Flower and Fruit: The golden yellow flowers are in sparsely
blossomed terminal cymes. The 5 sepals are ovate-lanceolate
to lanceolate and very pointed. The sepals are also smooth,
serrate at the tip, and marked by many light and dark glands.
The 5 petals and numerous stamens are fused into 3 bundles.
The ovary has a broad or narrow oval shape. The fruit is a 3-
valvular capsule, which is triangular and oval. The seeds are
cylindrical and shortly pointed at both ends. The seeds are 1
to 3 mm long, either black or dark brown, and covered in
small warts.Leaves, Stem and Root: The perennial plant is 30 to 60 cm
and contains a long-living branched root and rhizome, which
tapers toward each end. The reddish stem is erect, includes 2
raised edges and can reach 100 cm in height. The oval-
ST. JOHN'S WORT/719shaped, translucent, punctate leaves are attached directly at
the base and often covered in black glands.
Characteristics: The flowers release an odorless red juice
when squeezed, which tastes weakly bitter and irritating.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to all of Europe, western
Asia and northern Africa. It has been introduced to eastern
Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and it is cultivated in
Poland and Siberia.
Production: St. John's Wort consists of the dried above-
ground parts of Hypericum perforatum gathered during
flowering season. The herb is cut at the start of the flowering
season and dried quickly in bunches in order'to preserve the
oil and secreted contents.
Not to be Confused With: The plant may be mistaken for
other Hypericum species, such as Hypericum barbatum,
Hypericum hirsutum, Hypericum maculatum, Hypericum
montanum and Hypericum tetrapterum.
Other Names: Hardhay, Amber, Goatweed, Klamath Weed,
Tipton Weed, Saint John's Word, St. Johnswort
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Anthracene derivatives (0.1-0.15%): favoring naphthodian-
thrones, especially hypericin, pseudohypericin
Flavonoids (2-4%): in particular hyperoside, quercitrin,
rutin, isoquercitrin, and also biflavonolids including
amentoflavone
Xanthones (0.15-0.72%): 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-xanthone
Acylphloroglucinols: hyperforin with small quantities of
adhhyperforin
Volatile oil: chief components aliphatic hydrocarbons, in-
cluding, among others, 2- methyloctane, undecane, further-
more dodecanol, mono- and sesquiterpenes: including,
among others, alpha-pinene, caryophyllene, additionally also
2-methyl-3-but-3-en-2-ol
Oligomers
Procyanidines and other catechin tannins (6.5-15%")
Cajfeic acid derivatives: including chlorogenic acid
EFFECTS
The main active principles of the herb are the flavone and
flavonol derivatives, xanthones and naphthodianthrone (hy-
pericins). A mild antidepressant, sedative and anxiolytic
action of the herb and its preparations has been documented
in clinical studies. Historically, hypericin was thought to
have a weak MAO inhibitor effect. However, recent
literature suggests hypericin is devoid of MAO inhibitory
activity (Bladt, 1994).