Plant Name
Hypericum perforatum Linn
Botanical Info
It is a native to Eurasia flowering perennial plant, up to 90 cm heigh.
Geography:
It is native to Eurasia. It has been widely introduced, mainly by humans to North and South Americas, parts of Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This plant can survive in a wide range of climates havign the ability to store reserves in its root crown to use during harsh times. Such adaptability makes this plant spread difficult to control.
Chemical Content
The herb contains hypericin and pseudohypericin , rutin, quercetin, hyperoside, methylhesperidin, caffeic, chlorogenic, rho-coumaric, ferulic, rho-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids.
Traditional Use and Activity
Plant extract, contains hypericin and has antidepressant activity inhibiting MAO. A biflavonoid, amentoflavone, isolated from the plant, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activity. Alcoholic extract of the plant shows hepatoprotective activity in rodents in vivo.The oily flowers extract has been found effective in wound-healing due to the antibiotically active acylphlorogucinol and hyperforin. The aerial parts show significant antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A lyophilized infusion from the aerial parts exhibits antiviral activity and inhibits the reproduction of different strains of influenza virus types A and B both in vivo and in vitro. The whole herb is effective against many viral infections. Yellow, gold and brown dyes are obtained from the flowers and leaves. The red dye is obtained from the flowers after acidification and from the whole plant when infused with oil or alcohol. The yellow dye is obtained when the plant is infused with water.