Fact Sheet 729 St. Johns Wort (Hypericin) WHAT IS ST. JOHN'S
WORT? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ST. JOHN'S WORT? WHY DO PEOPLE
WITH HIV USE ST. JOHN'S WORT? HOW IS ST. JOHN'S WORT USED? WHAT
ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? HOW DOES IT INTERACT WITH OTHER THERAPIES?
THE BOTTOM LINE St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant. (“Wort” is
an old English word for an herb or plant.) It grows in many
parts of the world. Its scientific name is hypericum perforatum.
All of the aboveground parts of the plant are used. They are
collected while the plant is flowering. St. John’s Wort has
traditionally been used to treat bruises, burns, and mild
depression or anxiety. St. John’s Wort contains many different
substances that work together. A major compound is hypericin.
Currently, the major use of St. John’s Wort is to treat mild
depression or anxiety. In 1996, the British Medical Journal
published a review of scientific studies on St. John’s Wort and
depression. This review supports the herb’s use to treat mild or
moderate depression. A study