The most important effect of St John’s wort is that of an anti-depressant.
There is a wealth of scientific studies indicating that hypericum influences the enzymatic metabolism in the monoamine oxydase of the serotonin type and that, via a complicated biochemical process, an anti-depressant effect equivalent to Western chemical medicines is triggered.
Hypericum is used to treat psycho-vegetative disorders, depression, anxiety and nervous restlessness.
The effectiveness of some medicines can be impaired by hypericum, e.g. anticoagulants, hormone preparations.
It is important to take at least 1 gram of hyperforin per day. Even now, Hypericum is frequently administered in excessively small doses because it is believed to be a placebo – in such cases it will naturally be ineffective.