Hypericum Perforatum

3 Ways to Use Hypericum for Mental Health and Healing

Under the more common name, St. John's wort, naturopathic doctors and midwives recommend women use hypericum perforatum for mental health and healing. Taken orally, hypericum impacts mood and anxiety by altering the brain chemistry in positive ways. Topical application of the St. John's wort flowers infused into ointments or water help heal nerve injuries.

While there are not very many herbal remedies backed with solid research, St. John’s wort is one that has substantial empirical support. Perhaps the research will show you why hypericum belongs in your natural home remedy cabinet, especially after birth.  

Use Hypericum Topically and Orally For:

• Minor burns
• Vaginal tears from birth
• As an emotional remedy following injury
• Oral nerve pain or prior to any dental procedure
• Most home injuries like punctures, cuts, abrasions, bug bites, insect stings and splinters
• Following any surgery
• Jammed fingers
• Shooting pain
• Convulsions (not to be used in place of acute medical care)

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Use Hypericum for Nerve Injury and Shooting Pain

As you can see from the list of ways to use hypericum, there is quite a difference between jammed fingers and anxiety but the solution these ailments all need is nerve calming. Hypericum, taken both internally as a homeopathic remedy and as a topical tea or salve, calms the nerves and reduces pain. Homeopathy works by matching remedies to specific symptoms. Hypericum is matched with radiating or shooting pain.

Use Hypericum Perforatum for Depression

Probably the most common use of hypericum is supplementation with St. John’s wort for depression.  This includes postpartum depression and mild to moderate depression in a mother who has just given birth. Long-term studies in infants have yet to be conducted so do discuss this treatment option with your care provider. One might argue the side effects or potential risks of using St. John’s wort vs. pharmaceutical depression medications are lower but it truly depends on your personal health. The research supports the use of St. John’s wort for mild to moderate depression and Naturopathic Doctors Peter Bongiorno and Pina LoGiudice argue for the use of hypericum perforatum in pregnant and breastfeeding women as an effective and safe alternative to pharmaceutical treatment. 

Use Hypericum Perforatum for Postpartum Healing

Use hypericum after birth orally for mood regulation but also to reduce pain from giving birth. This dual function works the same in other injuries so giving a dose of hypericum following any stinging or shooting pain injury will calm emotions too! In the days following the birth of a baby, women who use hypericum homeopathic remedy may stave off postpartum blues, prevent postpartum depression and help calm nerves at the site of any vaginal tearing or soreness. Topical ointments, sprays or bath teas improve soreness and reduce pain in the tender perineum area. One of the most healing and soothing ways to care for your body after giving birth is hydrotherapy (the medical name for bath time!). Adding medicinal herbs to the bath increase the therapeutic benefits tremendously. Herbal baths are easy to prepare before labor. Just purchase the herbs ahead of time from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Try my simple Perineum Sitz Bath Herbs. If you aren’t the do-it-yourself type, these postpartum bath herbs are also wonderful and powerful.

Herbal Remedy

1 part comfrey leaf
1 part St. John’s wort flower
4 parts calendula

1. Fill large tea bags or a muslin bag with the herbs.
2. Boil water and pour over the herb sachet in a bowl.
3. Let steep until warm but not hot. Apply the sachet to the perineum and cover with a towel. Continue the compress until it cools completely.
4. Use the “tea” in the bowl in the peri-spray bottle, in a shallow bath or soak it up with a clean cloth and apply directly to the perineum.

Where to purchase

The homeopathic remedy can be purchased both through Amazon and Vitacost. I even purchased this spray from Vitacost to keep in my herbal remedy cabinet. It does have an alcohol base so I have been careful not to spray the children if there is an open wound, but for stubbed toes and hurt knees, it works like a charm!

St. John’s Wort Resources:

St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)--is it safe during breastfeeding? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11819157

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4184196/