Name: St. John’s Wort Latin name: Hypericum perforatum Family: Hypericaceae Parts Used: Flowers, leaves Taste: Astringent, bitter, slightly sweet Energetics: Neutral to warming, drying Key actions: Nervine tonic, vulnerary, astringent, inflammation modulator Precautions/Contraindications: Do not use during phototherapy or excessive exposure to sunlight Speeds up the elimination of prescriptions and may interfere with MAOIs, SSRIs, narcotics & reserpine. St. John’s wort is a beautiful herb for pain (anodyne) with an affinity for the nerves and nervous system. Because of this, St. John’s wort is one of the best herbs out there for nerve pain.
