What is St. John's wort?
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericaceae) is a herbaceous plant with very recognizable yellow flowers, common in Europe and North America. The plant takes its name from the numerous translucent dots that dot its leaves and which appear to be holes when viewed against the transparency.
The flowering of St. John's wort takes place at the end of June, around Saint John. For this reason, it is also known in Anglo-Saxon countries as St. John's wort (" St. John's herb" ).
Known for millennia for its healing and analgesic properties, this plant is now more famous for its natural antidepressant properties.In the Middle Ages, when this virtue was discovered, it was called "devil hunter" because it was said that it "chased the devil away from the body" .
The antidepressant activity of St. John's wort is due mainly to hyperforin, an active ingredient present between 2 to 4% in its flowers and leaves. It has been proposed that this active ingredient may act by inhibiting the non-specific reuptake of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. It is likely that several other constituents of the plant may also intervene through a synergistic effect.
St. John's wort, a plant with multiple indications for dogs
Red oil of St. John's wort
What is called St. John's wort red oil is none other than an oily macerate of St. John's wort. It is prepared by macerating flowering tops of St. John's wort in vegetable oil. Traditionally, it is obtained by macerating the flowers in oil in a transparent glass jar placed in the light of the sun for 3 weeks.But, it can also be prepared more quickly by macerating 100g of fresh flowers in 100g of olive oil for two hours in a bain-marie then cold for 3 days. In the absence of fresh flowers, it can also be bought ready-made in pharmacies or parapharmacies.
In dogs, the oily macerate of St. John's wort can be used for cutaneous use (external), for the symptomatic treatment of minor inflammations of the skin and to help the healing of small wounds. It is particularly indicated in the event of minor burns, chapping or minor bites.
It is also used a lot as a base for essential oil blends with healing, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties because it potentiates their effects.
Warning
Although St. John's wort red oil is indicated for external use, it may have a photosensitizing effect due to the hypericin it contains.It can therefore cause skin reactions in dogs exposed to the sun after treatment. As a precaution, its use should therefore be avoided in dogs with white coats in summer and avoid exposure of the animal to intense UV radiation during treatment which, moreover, must be interrupted before general or regional anesthesia. Also make sure your dog does not lick the treated area.
St. John's wort in homeopathic dilution
Hypericum Perforatum homeopathic granules are obtained from a diluted and energized St. John's wort macerate. They can be used in dogs to help relieve pain at a nerve ending such as minor cuts/punctures, neuritis, neuralgia, pain related to a herniated disc, pain secondary to trauma to the eye, surgery or compression.
Fluid extracts of flowering tops
St. John's wort fluid extracts, also known as EPS (phytostandardized fluid extract), can be used orally in dogs. They are prescribed by veterinarians specializing in herbal medicine to treat depressive states in dogs and certain behavioral disorders. Generally, practitioners combine it with other sedative plants or with antidepressant properties to modulate the effects.
Warning!
As in humans, St. John's wort is a plant that can interact with many drugs in dogs. It is also contraindicated in puppies and pregnant females. In general, never give your dog St. John's Wort without first talking to a trained veterinarian. It is the latter who will be best able to prescribe the most suitable treatment for your dog's particular case.