This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Hypericum patulum work for wound healing?
Hypericum patulum exerts its medicinal effects primarily through anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial mechanisms attributed to its flavonoid and phenolic acid content. Compounds like hyperpatulone help modulate inflammatory pathways and inhibit bacterial growth, which supports tissue repair. The presence of naphthodianthrones also contributes to antioxidant activity, reducing oxidative stress in damaged skin tissue. While these mechanisms are biologically plausible, specific clinical trials in humans remain limited (Evidence Level C).
Can I take Hypericum patulum with antidepressants?
You should avoid taking Hypericum patulum if you are prescribed antidepressant medications. Like other Hypericum species, this herb carries a risk of drug interactions, particularly with SSRIs and MAOIs. Combining them may lead to serotonin syndrome or reduce the efficacy of your prescription medication. Due to these potential contraindications, individuals on antidepressants should consult a healthcare provider before using any Hypericum-based products (Evidence Level C).
Is Hypericum patulum safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Hypericum patulum is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb contains compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions or pose risks to fetal development. Additionally, the potential for photosensitivity and interactions with medications increases the safety concerns for pregnant patients. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional before considering this herb (Evidence Level C).
What is the recommended dosage for Hypericum patulum?
The standard adult dosage for Hypericum patulum is typically 2 to 4 grams of dried herb daily, often prepared as a decoction or infusion. For external applications, the herb can be applied topically to the affected area to support wound healing. Due to limited clinical safety data, users should adhere to recommended amounts and consult a medical herbalist to determine the appropriate duration of use (Evidence Level C).
What are the side effects of Hypericum patulum?
The primary side effect associated with Hypericum patulum is photosensitivity, or increased sensitivity to sunlight. This reaction is caused by naphthodianthrones and hypericin traces found in the plant, which can make skin more prone to sunburn or dermatitis upon UV exposure. Users should avoid excessive sun exposure or use protective clothing when using this herb topically or internally. Those with a history of photosensitivity reactions should avoid this herb entirely (Evidence Level C).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Hypericum patulum is a medicinal plant used in traditional and folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and wound-healing properties [PMID:38999027, PMID:34378802].
Background
Hypericum patulum Thunb. is a deciduous shrub used as an ornamental plant, a natural herbal tea, and a medicinal herb [PMID:30743469, PMID:39733941].
Traditional uses
In traditional medicine, the whole plant is used for clearing heat, detoxifying, soothing meridians, relaxing the liver, and stopping bleeding [PMID:38999027]. Folk medicine applications include treating hepatitis, colds, tonsillitis, bruises, infantile malnutrition, and utilizing it for antifungal, wound-healing, spasmolytic, stimulant, and hypotensive activities [PMID:38999027, PMID:34378802].
Active compounds
The plant contains a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) such as hyparillums, hypaluton, and spiropatuols [PMID:38553194, PMID:33887911, PMID:42159586]; flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, hyperoside) [PMID:34378802, PMID:41456732]; xanthones [PMID:36404281, PMID:41456732]; monoterpenoid glycosides (patulumsides) [PMID:38999027, PMID:36484645]; prenylated benzophenones (hypatulins) [PMID:31377922, PMID:27682178]; and organic acids such as shikimic acid [PMID:34378802, PMID:41456732].
Mechanism of action
Compounds from H. patulum exhibit various mechanisms: inhibition of NO release and suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS, and IL-1β) in macrophages [PMID:41456732, PMID:30525688]; inhibition of TNF-α [PMID:38828134]; inhibition of DRAK2 [PMID:39733941]; and modulation of Cav3.1 low voltage-gated Ca2+ channels [PMID:31999455]. Some compounds induce S-phase cell cycle arrest and promote apoptosis in hepatoma cells [PMID:33894431].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation/Psoriasis
Spirohypertone B restrained epidermal hyperplasia and demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis murine model [PMID:38828134]
Hypersampsone O alleviated liver damage and reduced hepatocyte apoptosis in a murine model of hepatic IRI [PMID:40976628]
Evidence DAutoimmune Hepatitis
Spiropatuol 2 inhibited splenic lymphocyte activation and alleviated acute liver injury in a Con A-challenged autoimmune hepatitis mouse model [PMID:42159586]
Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)
Stem extracts showed strong cytotoxicity against HEp-2, RD, and Vero cell lines [PMID:13680832]; Norhyperpalum 2 showed cytotoxicity against hepatoma cell lines [PMID:33894431].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), focusing on phytochemical isolation and pharmacological screening for anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and cytotoxic activities.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 38999027 (2024) — New Monoterpenoid Glycosides from the Fruits of Hypericum patulum Thunb. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 36484645 (2024) — Four new compounds from fruits of Hypericum patulum Thunb. · Natural product research
3.PMID: 31377922 (2020) — Prenylated benzophenone derivatives from Hypericum patulum. · Journal of natural medicines
4.PMID: 38553194 (2024) — Hyparillums A and B: polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum patulum. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
5.PMID: 34378802 (2021) — Flavonoids from Hypericum patulum enhance glucose consumption and attenuate lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. · Journal of food biochemistry
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
PMID: 13680832 (2003) — In vitro cytotoxicity and antitumour properties of Hypericum mysorense and Hypericum patulum. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
7.PMID: 40146543 (2025) — Discovery of immunosuppressive secondary metabolites from Hypericum patulum. · Journal of Asian natural products research
8.PMID: 36404281 (2023) — Six New Constituents from the Fruit of Hypericum patulum and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity. · Chemistry & biodiversity
9.PMID: 33887911 (2021) — Hypaluton A, an Immunosuppressive 3,4-nor-Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinol from Hypericum patulum. · The Journal of organic chemistry
10.PMID: 38767586 (2024) — Patumantanes A-D, seco-Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinols with Diverse Carbon Skeletons from Hypericum patulum. · The Journal of organic chemistry
11.PMID: 27682178 (2016) — Hypatulins A and B, Meroterpenes from Hypericum patulum. · Organic letters
12.PMID: 32806193 (2020) — Novel Meroterpenoids from Hypericum patulum: Highly Potent Late Nav1.5 Sodium Current Inhibitors. · Organic letters
13.PMID: 36458939 (2022) — Hyperpatone A, a polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol with a rare 8/6/5/6/5 pentacyclic skeleton from Hypericum patulum. · Organic & biomolecular chemistry
14.PMID: 33894431 (2021) — Discovery of nor-bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols possessing diverse architectures with anti-hepatoma activities from Hypericum patulum. · Bioorganic chemistry
15.PMID: 41456732 (2026) — Study on chemical composition, plasma-absorbed components, and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of Hypericum patulum. · Fitoterapia
16.PMID: 30921742 (2019) — Hyperpatulols A-I, spirocyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives with anti-migration activities from the flowers of Hypericum patulum. · Bioorganic chemistry
17.PMID: 38828134 (2024) — Spirohypertones A and B as potent antipsoriatics: Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors with unprecedented chemical architectures. · Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B
18.PMID: 39733941 (2025) — Bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol-related meroterpenoids as potent DRAK2 inhibitors from Hypericum patulum. · Phytochemistry
19.PMID: 41343876 (2026) — Anti-neuroinflammatory polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum patulum: LC-MS/MS-guided isolation, semi-synthesis, and TLR4 inhibition. · Bioorganic chemistry
20.PMID: 41744275 (2026) — (±)- Hyppatutions a and B, two pairs of new PPAPs with neuroprotective effect from Hypericum patulum Thunb. · Natural product research
21.PMID: 40976628 (2025) — Discovery of bioactive polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol from Hypericum patulum that protects against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
22.PMID: 30525688 (2018) — Hypatulone A, a Homoadamantane-Type Acylphloroglucinol with an Intricately Caged Core from Hypericum patulum. · Organic letters
23.PMID: 42020892 (2026) — Prenylated acylphloroglucinols from the fruits of Hypericum patulum. · Natural products and bioprospecting
24.PMID: 34655700 (2021) — Hyperpatulones C-G, new spirocyclic polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from the leaves of Hypericum patulum. · Fitoterapia
25.PMID: 31999455 (2020) — Congenetic Hybrids Derived from Dearomatized Isoprenylated Acylphloroglucinol with Opposite Effects on Cav3.1 Low Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channel. · Journal of medicinal chemistry
26.PMID: 30743469 (2010) — First Report of Pestalotiopsis microspora Causing Leaf Spot of Hidcote (Hypericum patulum) in Japan. · Plant disease
27.PMID: 35521187 (2019) — Hyperpatulones A-F, polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum patulum and their cytotoxic activities. · RSC advances
28.PMID: 42159586 (2026) — Spiropatuols A-H: Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum patulum with Activity against Concanavalin A-Induced Autoimmune Hepatitis. · Journal of natural products