Hypericum perforatum
Common st. john's wort
Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St. John's Wort, is a perennial flowering plant revered in traditional medicine. Renowned for its bioactive compounds like hypericin, it is widely utilized to alleviate mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety. This versatile herb continues to be a significant subject in modern pharmacological research and herbalism.
- Scientific name: Hypericum perforatum
- Family: Hypericaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Hypericum perforatum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification is completed by its placement within the genus Hypericum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Hypericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hypericum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Hypericum perforatum, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 贯叶连翘 (zh-hans) and 贯叶连翘 (zh-cn), while in Singapore, the same name 贯叶连翘 (zh-sg) is used. In Traditional Chinese contexts, it is known as 貫葉連翹 (zh-hant), which is also the designation used in Hong Kong (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 贯叶连翘 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 貫葉連翹 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 貫葉連翹 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 贯叶连翘 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 贯叶连翘 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 貫葉連翹 | Wikidata |
| pl | dziurawiec zwyczajny | Wikidata |
| wa | Meytrô | Wikidata |
| gd | Eala bhuidhe | Wikidata |
| hu | közönséges orbáncfű | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Hypericum perforatum, is widely distributed across various regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscape of Denmark. The species also thrives in the northern territories of Finland and Norway. Additionally, its presence is well-documented across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations represent a significant portion of its northern geographical range.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as St. John's Wort, is a perennial herb characterized by its diverse and pharmacologically active components. The aerial parts of the specimen, which include the stems and foliage, are frequently harvested for medicinal preparation. The bright yellow flowers are perhaps the most iconic feature, containing high concentrations of hypericin, while the dark, translucent-dotted leaves also contribute significantly to the plant's chemical profile. Although much of the therapeutic focus remains on the upper growth, the roots also contain bioactive compounds that support the plant's overall medicinal potency.- Total parts
- 46
- Scientific sources
- 77
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| flowers | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| aerial parts | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| herb | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbs | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| haulm | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hypericum perforatum has 211 reported phytochemicals identified across 629 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids, pseudohypericin, quercetin.
- Total chemicals
- 211
- Scientific sources
- 629
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypericin | 78 | ★★★★★ |
| hyperforin | 73 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 34 | ★★★★★ |
| pseudohypericin | 24 | ★★★★★ |
| quercetin | 19 | ★★★★★ |
| rutin | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| hyperoside | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| chlorogenic acid | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Hypericin | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| isoquercitrin | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
Activities
Hypericum perforatum has 38 reported activities identified across 154 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 154
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant | 51 | ★★★★★ |
| Antioxidant | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| Antiviral | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Analgesic | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hypericum perforatum has 199 reported medicinal uses identified across 462 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include depression, antidepressant, anxiety, burns, wound healing.
- Total uses
- 199
- Scientific sources
- 462
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| depression | 88 | ★★★★★ |
| antidepressant | 34 | ★★★★★ |
| anxiety | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| burns | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| wound healing | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| inflammation | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| oxidative stress | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| wounds | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| antiviral | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |