St. John's Wort (0.3% Hypericin)

History:

St. John's Wort is a perennial plant, native to Western Asia, Europe and Great Britain (especially in Wales), and it has been introduced to the United States, where it grows wild. The herb grows in well-drained to dry soil in partial shade to a height of about thirty-two inches and bears bright yellow petals with flowering tops. Although St. John's Wort is cultivated in many parts of Europe for commercial purposes, it is listed as a noxious weed in several countries. St. John’s Wort invades pastures and replaces useful vegetation as a toxic weed, making productive land unviable, as ingestion by livestock can cause photosensitization, dull nerves and spontaneous miscarriage. The plant allegedly possessed mystical and magical powers, partly due to the fluorescent red pigment, hypericin (one of its most powerful chemical constituents) that oozed like blood from the crushed flowers. If you rub the petals of this flower between your fingers, that red resin will ooze out, and according to one legend of the Middle Ages, this plant sprang from the blood of St. John the Baptist when he was beheaded. Another legend says the plant's name came from the fact that it bloomed around June 29th, which is the feastday commemorating the beheading of St. John the Baptist on the Christian Church calendar. As a matter of fact, the plant's botanical genus, Hypericum, is said to be derived from the Greek words, hyper, meaning "above" and eikon "picture," referring to a traditional custom of hanging St. John's Wort over a picture or icon in the house during St John's Day to ward off evil. In Middle English, the term "wort" referred to any plant or vegetable that was used therapeutically, and this herb was used in herbal preparations in medieval England for mental instability attributed to the work of evil spirits or the devil; hence, one of its common names, "Witches' Wort." European settlers brought the plant to the United States in the 1700s, and although it has been used for at least two millennia, it did not become popular in the North American media until the 1990s. Today, there is much research being conducted into the plant's potential uses. Traditionally, the petals were gathered in midsummer for use in herbal preparations, but today, the entire plant is used. Aside from its valuable use as an herbal supplement, the plant yields a red dye and is also used in cosmetics. Some of the chemical constituents in St. John's Wort include carotenoids, anthraquinones (napthodianthrones including hypericin and pseudohypericin), phloroglucinols: (hyperforin and adhyperforin), chlorophyll, volatile oils (methyl-2-octane, limonene, caryophyllene, humulene), flavonoids (hyperin, hyperoside, quercetin, kaempferol, rutin and hyperoside), acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, para-coumaric, para-hydroxybenzoic), saponin, tannins and vitamin C.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
There are many warnings associated with the use of St. John's Wort Herbal Supplement, as it may have potentially dangerous interactions with prescription drugs, and one should always consult a physician when taking prescription medication of any sort before using this herb. Pregnant women should avoid this product, and those who are photosensitive to light may experience an allergic reaction when exposed to sunlight or may become sunburned. Some people may experience stomach upset, restlessness, mild allergic reactions or fatigue when using this herb. Although St. John's Wort is called nature's Prozac, it should not be taken by those who have chronic or clinical depression and should never be used with prescription anti-depressants or any medication that interacts with MAO inhibitors. Those who take anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, sedatives, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, high blood pressure medication (with ACE) inhibitors, drugs to treat HIV or drugs to prevent transplant rejection should not take St. John's Wort. Significant interactions include decreased efficacy of antiretrovirals, cyclosporin, tacrolimus and other chemotherapeutic agents. Do not take St. John's Wort if you are planning to undergo any type of surgical procedure. Aside from its blood-thinning properties, the herb can intensify the effects of anesthesia, resulting in oversedation. For further information, please refer to the FDA's Public Health Advisory of 2/10/00, "Risk of Drug Interactions with St. John's Wort and Indinavir and Other Drugs."

Capsule Information:
Our St. John's Wort (0.3% Hypericin) supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.