St. John's wort is also known under the names of true St. John's wort, common St. John's wort or spotted holly. The plant belongs to the genus of St. John's wort (Hypericum) within the Hypericaceae family.
St. John's wort is considered one of the best studied medicinal herbs and is mainly used to treat depression.
Ingredients
St. John's wort also contains flavonoids, tannins, resins, hypericin and hyperforin.
Effect and use as an antidepressant
The antidepressant effect is believed to be mainly due to the combination between flavanoids, hypericin and hyperforin. However, it is still largely unclear how the mood elevation is specifically evoked. Therefore, St. John's wort is mostly taken as a self-medication.
In addition to its antidepressant, mood-lifting and anxiety-relieving effects, St. John's wort can also be used externally for wound healing. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.