Why we use St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)

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why we use hypericum perforatum (st. john’s wort) extract

The Basics

An extract of St. John's Wort standardized to a minimum hyperforin content of 30%. Hyperforin, an active component of the plant, is a phloroglucinol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.¹ Most impressively, it promotes faster skin recovery by supporting growth and differentiation of keratinocytes. Also, its soothing effects visibly calm redness and irritation associated with atopic dermatitis.²

This extract is specifically compounded for optimal skin benefit and does not contain any photosensitizing hypericin—a naphthodianthrone. Hypericin does, however, show promise in "selective treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer" due to its photosentitizing nature.¹

references

1 Wölfle, U., Seelinger, G., & Schempp, C. (2013). Topical Application of St. Johnʼs Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Planta Medica, 80(02/03), 109-120. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1351019 Topical Application of St. Johnʼs Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
2 Schempp, C., Windeck, T., Hezel, S., & Simon, J. (2003). Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis with St. John's wort cream – a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind half-side comparison. Phytomedicine, 10, 31-37. doi: 10.1078/1433-187x-00306 Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis with St. John's wort cream – a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind half-side comparison.