Also known as: St John’s Wort. (Hypericum)
Uses: Mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), neuralgia, sciatica, shingles.
Description: This herb is a traditional remedy for mild to moderate depression. It is commonly found in temperate countries and has been the subject of a large body of research.
How it works:
There is little doubt that Hypericum works by influencing the neurotransmitters in the brain. The substances responsible for this action are now known to be hypericin and more recently, hyperforin. However, it is widely accepted that the action of the herb cannot be assigned to a specific constituent but is rather the balanced effect of all the substances within the plant.
Hypericum has also been found to contain flavonoids which possess analgesic action in those suffering with nerve pain, eg. neuralgia, shingles and sciatica.
Additional advice: Please check with your Doctor or Pharmacist if you are taking any prescribed medicines as Hypericum (St John’s Wort) may affect the way they work.