This product is the dried whole herb of the Hypericum japonicum Thunb. (Hypericum japonicum Thunb.), a plant belonging to the Guttiferae family, specifically the Chinese St. Johnswort root genus. It grows in moist fields and is widely distributed in the Yangtze River basin and areas south of it, mainly produced in Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Guizhou. It is harvested in summer and autumn, and can be used fresh or dried for later use.

bubble_chart Morphological Characteristics

Annual herb, 20-40 cm tall. Stem erect or inclined, slender, with 4 ridges, nodes distinct, fine roots growing near the base of the nodes. Simple leaves opposite, short, mostly clasping the stem, ovate, 4-15 cm long, entire, apex obtuse. Cymes terminal, flowers small, yellow; sepals 5, lanceolate; petals 5, incurved; stamens more than 10, fused at the base into 3 bundles; ovary 1-locular, stigmas 3. Capsule oblong. Flowering period May to June.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet and slightly bitter, cool. Act on liver, gallbladder and large intestinal meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Clearing heat and draining dampness, resolving stasis to stop pain, reducing swelling, and removing toxins.

bubble_chart Indications

Jaundice hepatitis, snake and insect bites, menstrual irregularities.

1. jaundice hepatitis: japanese st. johnswort herb 10g, steep in hot water and take as tea. (Bijie, Songtao, Guizhou)
2. menstrual irregularities: japanese st. johnswort herb 20g, sampson st. johnswort herb 10g, decoct with water and take. (Southeast Guizhou)
3. hematemesis: japanese st. johnswort herb 20g, decoct with water and take. (South Guizhou)
4. snake and insect bites: appropriate amount of japanese st. johnswort herb, mash and apply externally to the affected area. (South Guizhou)

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

10 to 30 grams.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Lactones, coumarins, phenols, anthraquinones, flavonoids, vitamins, and other active components have been isolated from Japanese St. John's Wort herb. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Japanese St. John's Wort herb possesses various pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, antiviral, liver-protective, cancer cell-inhibiting, and immune-enhancing properties. It is clinically used to treat acute and chronic hepatitis, infectious hepatitis, primary liver cancer, cold-damage disease, and secondary cold-damage disease.