Uses of St. Johns Wort
From centuries Saint Johns Wort had been used to treat nerve pain and mental disorders. Ancient herbalists have mentioned its use as a sedative, a balm for insect bites, wound and burns. It was also used to treat malaria. In ancient Greek literature it is mentioned as a medicinal herb. Native Americans have also been using this herb for various purposes including its antiseptic, anti inflammatory and astringent properties.
Historically it has had various uses. It was used by ancient Greeks and Romans to treat various ailments including poisonous snake bites and sciatica. They placed sprigs of the herb on statues of their Gods to drive away evil spirits. They believed the herb's odour would drive away the evil spirits. The name of the herb i.e. Hypericum in Greek means "over health."
During the first century it found reference in Pliny the Elder's famous book Natural History. Pliny the elder was a famous ancient author, naturalist and philosopher who recommended Saint Johns Wort for treating diarrhea and for various other related bladder problems.
Dioscorides was a famous Roman army sergeant who recommended the use of Saint Johns Wort for "choleric excrements" and for using it on burns. During the renaissance Paracelsus recommended its use for treating wounds. He was the first person to have recorded its use for psychotic disorders which he referred to as "phatasmata."
In the medieval times Europeans considered it as the drug to treat madness as they had attributed some magical properties to it. In the sixteenth century it was used to treat melancholia and anxiety. In the nineteenth century it continued to be used to treat melancholia. In the twenty first century it continues its use as a natural anti depressant.
Germany is the leading user of Saint Johns Wort. Since it is the most frequently prescribed supplement for mild depression the Germans keep funding research on the benefits of Saint Johns Wort.
In most of Europe including Britain it is available as an OTC over the counter drug. It is widely used in Europe. Statistics show that approximately two million British use it to combat depression.
In the United States of America it is not categorized by the FDA (Food and Drug administration Agency) and is sold under Complimentary or Alternative Medicine. It is a popular herb used in the United States and does not require a prescription.
Although the exact mechanism on how Saint Johns Wort works is still unknown it has been successfully used to treat mild depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Its mechanism is believed to be similar to that of other anti depressants. It may be involved in inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. The exact function of Saint Johns Wort is unclear and there is need for more research on this herb just like there is need for more research on other common anti depressants like Prozac.
Saint Johns Wort has tremendous anti bacterial properties. A concentration of 0.1mg/ml of ultra purified of hyperforin killed Staphylococcus aureus (9methillin resistant forms).
