St. John's wort presents a wonderful paradox. Known to healers for thousands of years, it has become an overnight sensation in the modern media. No doubt utilized by some of the earliest civilizations, the oldest records of its use come from Greek and Roman times, according to herbalist Christopher Hobbes. Dioscorides, the foremost Greek herbalist, recommended it for sciatica and malaria relief, and as a diuretic and female tonic. Pliny the Elder, the Roman naturalist, found it effective against snakebite when mixed with wine. (We're not sure whether the wine was to be mixed with the herb, or just drunk to take one's mind off the pain!)

The botanical name Hypericum comes from the Greek words yper, meaning upper, and eikon, or image. The Greeks and Romans believed that St. John's wort protected them from evil spirits and witches' spells, and often placed the herb in their homes and above statues of their gods. Perhaps the spirits and spells referred to depression and anxiety, mental disorders with no obvious physical cause.

While hypericin has received most of the attention in scientific research, there are other chemicals in St. John's wort that may contribute to its antidepressant effects. These ingredients have a number of additional properties, as well. Here are some of the herb's primary chemical constituents and their actions:

Hypericin and other dianthrone derivatives, Antidepressive and antiviral, Flavonols, Astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral, Flavonoids, Anti-inflammatory, sedative, diuretic, tumor inhibiting, antidiarrheal, capillary strengthening, and coronary- artery dilating, Xanthones, Antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiviral, diuretic, and cardiotonic, Phloroglucinol derivatives

Antibacterial, Essential oil components, Antifungal, N-Alkanols

May help neurological disorders, Carotenoids, May explain burn-healing activity,Phytosterols, Can help reduce cholesterol levels.

Source: HerbalGram No. 18/19, 1997, p. 10

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