page_title: Hypericum perforatum
section_title: Chemical constituents
hierarchical_section_title: Hypericum perforatum / Chemistry / Chemical constituents
context_page_description: Hypericum perforatum, known as perforate St John's-wort, common Saint John's wort and simply St John's wort, is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. St. John's wort has been used in alternative medicine as a likely effective aid in treating mild to moderate depression and related symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia. Study results on the effectiveness of Hypericum perforatum for depression have been mixed. Since it causes drug interactions, it might not be an appropriate choice for many people, particularly those who take other medications. The primary phytochemical constituents of St John's wort are hyperforin and hypericin. Hypericum perforatum is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, but has spread and is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world. The plant is poisonous to livestock.
context_section_description: The plant contains the following:
  Flavonoids (e.g. epigallocatechin, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercetin, quercitrin, quercetin, amentoflavone, biapigenin, astilbin, myricetin, miquelianin, kaempferol, luteolin)
  Phenolic acids (e.g. chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid)
  Naphthodianthrones (e.g. hypericin, pseudohypericin, protohypericin, protopseudohypericin)
  Phloroglucinols (e.g. hyperforin, adhyperforin)
  Tannins (unspecified, proanthocyanidins reported)
  Volatile oils (e.g. 2-methyloctane, nonane, 2-methyldecane, undecane, α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpineol, geraniol, myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, humulene)
  Saturated fatty acids (e.g. isovaleric acid (3-methylbutanoic acid), myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid)
  Alkanols (e.g. 1-tetracosanol, 1-hexacosanol)
  Vitamins & their analogues (e.g. carotenoids, choline, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid)
  Miscellaneous others (e.g. pectin, β-sitosterol, hexadecane, triacontane, kielcorin, norathyriol)
  The naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin along with the phloroglucinol derivative hyperforin are thought to be among the numerous active constituents. It also contains essential oils composed mainly of sesquiterpenes.
  Selected chemical constituents of Hypericum perforatum
caption: Chemical structure of hypericin