St. John's wort has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. The leaves and flowers of St. John's wort have healing effects on human health, particularly for the treatment of depression, appetite and sleep disorders.
Here you can find out more about the effects of St. John's wort, its use and possible side effects.
Table of contents
1 Where is the St. John's wort plant found?
The St. John's wort plant originally comes from Europe, but is now cultivated worldwide. The plant grows on the edges of forests, shrubbery, embankments, paths, on rough pastures, in broom and heather heaths, in fallow land and forest clearings or on railroad ballast as a pioneer plant.
The name of this plant refers to St. John the Baptist, as the flowering period of St. John's wort extends from around St. John's Day, June 24, to August. The edges of the leaves of St. John's wort are dotted with black spots. To be more precise, these are patches of tissue on which light-colored essential oil accumulates.
The fact that St. John's wort was chosen as the medicinal plant of the year 2015 only underlines the many positive effects that this plant has on human health.
2 What ingredients does St. John's wort contain?
St. John's wort is a veritable treasure trove of vitamin C, carotene and various tannins. St. John's wort also contains potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, chromium, aluminum, selenium, nickel and strontium, cadmium and lead are also present.
The most valuable constituents of St. John's wort are various chemical components, among which hyperflorin, carotenoids, sterols, essential oils, catechins and quercetin stand out. All these substances give St. John's wort its healing power. St. John's wort extract increases the concentration of the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline at the synapses.
3 How is St. John's wort used?
St. John's wort is most commonly used in the form of tablets or capsules containing the extract of this plant. St. John's wort is an important ingredient in antidepressants, tranquilizers and antibiotics. For external use, it can also be used as an oil, for example in skin care or for the treatment of burns.
4 What is St. John's wort oil suitable for?
The essential oils of St. John's wort help with unpleasant symptoms of depression, such as restlessness, bad mood or insomnia. St. John's wort oil can be an ideal natural alternative for treating depression without having to take other pharmaceutical products such as antidepressants and tranquilizers.
The oil is said to have an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and nerve-soothing effect. The new Casida St. John's wort red oil is particularly suitable for relaxing massages, for example. The warming effect ensures better blood circulation and muscle relaxation.
Positive effects are particularly evident in women's state of health, in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the alleviation of menstrual cramps. A placebo study carried out between 2005 and 2007 on a group of 36 women aged between 18 and 45 showed that daily consumption of St. John's wort had a positive effect on women's reproductive health compared to a placebo product.
5 What effect does St. John's wort oil have on the skin?
The use of St. John's wort oil also shows numerous benefits in skin care. St. John's wort oil red oil from Casida soothes skin irritations such as rashes, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, scars, eczema and burns. Such complaints can also be treated with St. John's wort creams, but the oils work better because they provide relief without leaving scars.
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant alleviate the skin problems caused by these irritating conditions. For acne or pimples, it is recommended to dab a few drops of its oil on the inflamed area.
However, when using it externally, it should be noted that uncontrolled use of the oil can lead to certain side effects. The parts of the plant are slightly toxic and therefore, contrary to tradition, St. John's wort oil is not suitable for sunbathing - because it is phototoxic.
For people who like to sunbathe, it may accelerate the tanning of the skin, but for most people the oil can intensify the burns caused by sunbathing and cause the appearance of "spots" on the skin that are difficult or impossible to remove.
After applying St. John's wort oil, UV exposure is not recommended for at least 12 hours. However, current study results show that photosensitivity only occurs at very high concentrations. Caution is also advised when using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
In view of its many positive effects on health, it is a good idea to always have a bottle of St. John's wort oil in your medicine cabinet. However, before using St. John's wort oil or any other St. John's wort-based product, be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist to prevent any possible negative consequences.
Sources & further links on the subject of the effects of St. John's wort:
Important note / disclaimer:
As pharmacists, we share our pharmaceutical expertise and wealth of naturopathic experience in the Casida guide. An individual diagnosis and consultation is necessary in every case. Therefore, this offer cannot replace medical advice. It is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for medication or other treatments prescribed by a doctor.
