Bee Atracting Plants St. John's Wort (Hypericum sp.) Madicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat

Blog 172-365

Hypericums are excellent nectar plants. The full grown shrub attracts an assortment of bumblebees.

There are several species of this flowering shrub found throughout the world in warm temperate to tropical climates. St. John's Wort is common in the savanna areas . It can grow on dry, disturbed soil, and benefits from fire ecology, growing quickly and robust after savanna fires. 

Medicinal Uses

Scientific research has found that certain species of St. John's Wort were an effective antidepressant in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. 

• Besides depression, St. John’s wort has also been tried for many other conditions in which prescription antidepressants are thought useful, 

•  such as attention deficit disorder , 
• anxiety , 
•  insomnia , 
• menopausal symptoms , 
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , 
• seasonal affective disorder (SAD) , 
• and social phobia.
• One substantial double-blind study did find St. John's wort potentially helpful for somatoform disorders (commonly called psychosomatic illnesses).

 
The genus has a nearly worldwide distribution, missing only from tropical lowlands, deserts and polar regions. All members of the genus may be referred to as St. John's wort, though they are also commonly just called hypericum, and some are known as tutsan. The marsh St. John's-worts are nowadays separated into the genus Triadenum.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum sp.) can be planted in full sun or part shade. Best growth occurs in full sun, but afternoon or dappled shade can help to prevent leaf burn and wilt in hot, humid climates. Well-drained soil is best as hypericums can be susceptible to root rot.