In ancient folklore, St. John’s wort, hypericum perforatum, was heralded as the “herbe of protection.” People revered it as a magical talisman capable of protecting them from evil spirits and their homes from lightning storms. These mystical qualities are reflected in its name. Its Latin name hypericum is derived from a Greek word that means “over an apparition.”

In today’s world, many people use St. John’s wort to ward off what is considered a modern-day ghostly spirit—depression. With scientific research affirming its antidepressant qualities, as well as renewed recognition for its other traditional medicinal uses, St. John’s wort has become one of the most popular herbal supplements in the United States and throughout the world.

To gain further appreciation of its health benefits, it is possible to study St. John’s wort (as well as other herbs, nutrients and foods) through the lens of herbal astrology. Through this periscope, we can further unveil the ways in which St. John’s wort may serve to protect health and well-being.

The Sun is Linked to St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is linked astrologically to the Sun, the planet that is associated with the sign Leo. In astrology, the Sun represents our true essence, the core of vitality that guides our lives. Leo characterizes joy, love and self-expression—the experience of living life with the world as your canvas, on which you can freely create. In medical astrology, the Sun and Leo are associated with the circulatory system, including the heart.

The physical characteristics of St. John’s wort capture many qualities of Leo and the Sun. Leo’s position as the fifth sign of the zodiac is mirrored in the five petals of the St. John’s wort flower. These flowers shine a brilliant solar yellow color. On close examination of the leaves, you can perceive small perforations (the plant’s translucent glands), which appear as windows through which the Sun’s light shines.

St. John’s Wort and Depression

Reflecting its Leonine qualities, St. John’s wort has been in the limelight for the past few years. It has been the subject of many clinical trials that have explored its antidepressant properties. The results of these research studies have suggested that St. John’s wort may be an effective therapy for people who experience mild to moderate depression.

In modern medicine, depression is associated with the brain and its neurochemistry. Yet, people who experience depression describe it not just as a shrouded feeling in their minds but also in their hearts. This further reveals St. John’s wort’s correspondence with depression as the Sun correlates not only to the physical heart, but to the heart chakra (the energy center through which emotions flow). Consequently, depression often robs people of experiencing certain Leo characteristics, such as joy and childlike delight.

Research has suggested that St. John’s wort may also be useful in alleviating the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is characterized by depressive symptoms occurring during times of the year when there is limited sunlight. One noted treatment for SAD is full-spectrum light therapy. Maybe St. John’s wort helps to relieve SAD symptoms through serving as a botanical arbiter of the Sun’s astrological energy for those who are deprived of the Sun’s physical light.

Other Uses of St. John’s Wort

In addition to its use as an “herbe of protection” against depression, St. John’s wort applied as a topical treatment seems to have therapeutic benefits against injuries to the skin. St. John’s wort enjoys a long historical tradition of use for wounds where the skin is perforated and blood (linked to the Sun) is present. Additionally, as it is also suggested to be an effective topical treatment for burns, Sun-ruled St. John’s wort may help to alleviate one of the consequences of too much solar heat or fire.

How to Use St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is available in a variety of forms, including teas, tinctures, capsules and oil-based preparations. For the treatment of mild to moderate depression, many nutritionally-oriented health experts recommend that people take 900 milligrams daily (in three divided doses) of a St. John’s wort extract standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin. As recent research has suggested that its constituent hyperforin may play a significant role in its antidepressant effects, many recommend products that have reliable hyperforin contents. The oil-based preparations of St. John’s wort are commonly used for treating wounds and burns.

The primary side effect of St. John’s wort is photosensitivity, especially in fair-skinned people. St. John’s wort seems to make certain people more sensitive to the Sun.

It is important to always consult a licensed healthcare provider if you are thinking of using St. John’s wort or other dietary supplements to treat any health condition. As recent research has suggested that St. John’s wort may interfere with the metabolism of certain pharmaceutical drugs, informing your healthcare provider of its use can help them to evaluate any potential drug-supplement interactions.

Editor’s note: The health information given in this article is not meant as a substitute for care from a qualified physician. This information is given for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe. StarIQ.com is not responsible for any mishaps that occur as a result of using this information.

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