ST. JOHN'S WORT (Hypericum perforatum)

The aromatic perennial St. John's wort, also known as goatweed, Tipton's weed and Klamath weed, is a native of Europe and it has established itself readily in moderate climates around the globe. The common wild variety, found in fields, meadows and along roadsides, tolerates a wide range of soil and sun conditions. There are many other members of the hypericum family, some suited nicely for home gardens. One of my favorites was a beautiful rounded shrub, Hypericum kalmianum, about two feet tall with petite blue-green leaves and brilliant yellow tufted flowers. For reasons unknown, it died after a few years. Last year I added Hypericum 'glacier' to my herb garden. It is described as having brilliant green foliage, marbled with creamy white and pink, golden blossoms and coral berries. We'll have to see how it fares as some of the catalogues rate it a zone 6.

Common St. John's wort has small, linear, opposite leaves; when held up to the light, one can see transparent oil dots that look like pinholes-thus the "perforatum." The plant is fairly prostrate until shortly before flowering when leafy stalks assume an upright habit of one to two feet. Bright yellow flowers, five petalled, have many upright stamens. When the flowers are crushed in bud stage, they will leave a crimson stain on your fingers.

The Latin name hypericum is derived from the Greek, meaning "power over an apparition." The history and folklore of St. John's wort is fascinating, steeped in pagan and Christian lore. For centuries, the ancient Greeks and Romans placed St. John's wort above statues of their gods to protect them, and hung bunches of the herb in windows and doorways long-term study is being conducted presently by the National Institutes of Health and more information will be offered in the future.

Recently, claims (mainly by manufacturers) and anecdotal evidence have contributed to St. John's wort's soaring sales, with distributors of St. John's wort touting it as an answer to muscle spasms, nerve pain, postpartum depression, SAD, MS, AIDS, insomnia, weight loss, tension, fatigue and my favorite-"the desire to procrastinate." Obviously, most of these claims have yet to be determined and-keep in mind-because herbals and supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there are always the concerns about purity and potency.

Unfortunately, as time goes on and we have more experience with herbals, more side effects and interactions are appearing. Concern about St.John's wort and blood pressure during surgical procedures has prompted many hospitals to recommend stopping St. John's wort two weeks before any surgery. Photosensitivity, as evidence by cows and sheep and even insects that ingest large amounts of St. John's wort, may be a problem for some people. In the news lately have been concerns about St. John's wort possibly interfering with drugs used in chemotherapy and in treating AIDS. Other concerns are an exacerbation of prescribed anti-depressant effects and reduced effectiveness of cardiac medications when used in combination with St. John's wort. It is not recommended during pregnancy or while nursing.

If you or someone in your family is interested in taking St. John's wort, do not assume that it is safe just because it is "natural" and was used by the Greeks. As much as all of us appreciate herbs, we must also have respect for their properties. Educate yourself before jumping on the self-prescribed bandwagon and be sure to let your doctor know.
Oh, by the way…St. John's wort has definitely been proved to keep away evil spirits, with no side effects.

Thanks to Maggie Dougherty-Roberts for telling us about St. John's wort at our meeting and for providing this report. Her sources included Peterson's Guide to Medicinal Plants, Steven Foster/James Duke; The Healing Herbs, Michael Castleman; Nature's Medicine, Plants that Heal, Joel Swerdlow, PhD; Rodale's Encyclopedia of Herbs, and various Internet web sites.

 

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