Evidence supporting the use of: St. John's Wort
For the health condition: Hysteria

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has a long history of traditional use in European herbal medicine, particularly for nervous conditions, mood disturbances, and what was once broadly categorized as "hysteria." Historically, “hysteria” was a catch-all term used—primarily in 19th and early 20th-century medicine—for a variety of psychological and somatic symptoms, especially in women, that are now more accurately classified under anxiety disorders, depression, or somatoform disorders.

In traditional herbal medicine, St. John's Wort was valued for its supposed calming, uplifting, and nervine properties. Herbalists recommended it for symptoms such as restlessness, nervousness, and emotional distress, which were often labeled as "hysteria." These uses are well-documented in European herbals and pharmacopoeias dating back several centuries.

However, while there is some scientific evidence supporting the use of St. John’s Wort for mild to moderate depression, the specific application to "hysteria" lacks modern scientific validation. The term itself is no longer used in contemporary clinical settings, and no clinical trials have evaluated St. John’s Wort for this historical condition. The traditional use is thus based on the herb’s general mood-supporting effects rather than targeted efficacy for what was once called "hysteria." In summary, its use for hysteria is justified primarily by tradition, not scientific evidence.

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