St. John’s Wort has a long history rich in tradition, including medicinal practices that span over two thousand years. Its vernacular name first came into use at the start of the 15th century due to the ancient tradition of harvesting this herbal wort in June with its bright yellow flowers in bloom. The word wort, which means plant, comes from an Old English word that translates root, and St. John’s wort has rhizomatous roots that extend in the soil.

This herbaceous plant is native to Europe and favors temperate areas with consistent rainfall pattern in the winter and summer seasons. It has spread to eastern parts of Russia, continental North America, and even in subtropical regions of China and India, thriving in the wild to the extent of becoming invasive to local ecosystems. In most parts of the world St. John’s wort is widely used as an herbal remedy for mental disorders.

Historical Uses

Earliest records of its medicinal uses were associated with punctures resulting from animal bites, such as snakes and reptiles, noting to harvest St. John’s wort at sunrise when its active ingredients were thought easiest to obtain. At the height of the popularity of humoral medicine practiced by early Greek and Roman physicians, liquid extracts from the plant, the flowers and the seeds in particular, were believed to rid the body of substances harmful to the yellow bile, leading to its use in treatment of renal, gastrointestinal, and menstrual disorders. The thick red liquid was also applied to sk
in lesions and open wounds.

St. John’s wort has been tied to mental disorders as early as the 4th century B.C. The practice started with the use of the flowers as a spiritual protection in that the odor ought to scare away evil spirits. In fact, it was generally believed that the presence of evil forces made people susceptible to disturbing imaginations, largely contributing to the belief that mood disorders such as melancholia, described as a downcast disposition, were the works of the demon. St. John’s wort was believed to be a divine manifestation, oils mixed with its extracts dubbed the blood of Christ, and in the thirteenth century it was described fuga demonum, an herb to ward off the devil.

Treatment for Depression

Studies in connection with the efficacy of St. John’s wort as a treatment for depression started at the end of the 20th century, and have since backed up the age-old claims. There are desirable results as to how extracts from the herb significantly have an effect on patients suffering from depression over placebo. More importantly, St. John’s wort is tolerated very well, its side effects noted to be up to five times less than other antidepressants in the market. Due to its pronounced effectiveness minus the adverse effects associated with other antidepressants, standard doses of St. John’s wort extracts are made available over the counter.

Look for St. Johns Wort at your local or internet vitamin store in capsule, tablet, and liquid extract forms. Always choose standardized herbal name brands to ensure quality, purity, and authenticity of the products you buy for better health.