St. John’s Bush and St John’s Wort – two herbs with remarkably similar names yet very different purposes and uses Their names cause a lot of confusion, so let’s break down exactly what sets these two plants apart.
First, St. John’s Bush (scientifically known as Justicia pectoralis) is a flowering herb that grows in parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical South America. It has long been used in folk medicine to support women’s reproductive health. The leaves and stems are brewed as a medicinal tea or tincture.
Some key facts about St. John’s Bush:
- Has bright pink, tubular flowers when it blooms
- Grows as a shrub about 1-3 feet tall
- Has oval-shaped leaves with lightly serrated edges
- Produces small seed pods after flowering
- Has a long history of use as a women’s health remedy
- Provides iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium and more vitamins and minerals
Traditionally, St John’s Bush has been used for issues like
- Painful, heavy periods
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Hormone regulation
- Uterine health
It is considered a uterine tonic and “blood cleanser” The tea made from St John’s Bush has a deep red color, which is where its folk name “blood bush” comes from.
What is St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s Wort (scientifically known as Hypericum perforatum) also has bright yellow flowers and leaves with dotted glands that look perforated. It grows wild throughout Europe, West Asia, and North Africa.
Some quick facts about St. John’s Wort:
- Grows 1-3 feet tall as a bushy perennial herb
- Has golden yellow flowers that bloom in summer
- Features oblong leaves with translucent dots
- Historically used to treat wounds, inflammation, depression, and nerve pain
- Contains hypericin, which gives it antidepressant effects
While St. John’s Wort was also valued as a women’s herb in ancient times, today it is most commonly used to naturally treat:
- Mild to moderate depression
- Emotional PMS symptoms
- Nerve pain
- Wounds and burns
- Viral infections
- Inflammation
- Seasonal affective disorder
So as you can see, St. John’s Wort is mainly taken today for neurological and emotional issues, while St. John’s Bush targets the female reproductive system.
Key Differences Between the Herbs
Although their names certainly make it confusing, once you know about their traditional uses and medicinal compounds, the differences between St. John’s Bush and St. John’s Wort become much clearer. Here’s a quick rundown of how they differ:
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Plant family – St. John’s Bush is in the Acanthaceae family while St. John’s Wort is in the Hypericaceae family. Their genus and species are also completely different.
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Plant origin – St. John’s Bush is native to the Americas while St. John’s Wort originated in Europe/Asia.
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Active compounds – St. John’s Bush contains flavonoids like quercetin while St. John’s Wort contains hypericin. Different active ingredients giving them different effects.
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Color – St. John’s Bush makes a deep red tea while St. John’s Wort makes a brown or greenish tea.
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Traditional uses – St. John’s Bush was historically used for the female reproductive system and menstrual issues. St. John’s Wort was used as a remedy for nerves, wounds, and burns.
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Modern uses – Today St. John’s Bush is still used for women’s hormone balance while St. John’s Wort is used primarily for depression.
Benefits and Uses of St. John’s Bush
Let’s take a deeper look at why St. John’s Bush has been such a treasured women’s herb and how it can benefit reproductive health:
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Regulates menstruation – Taken regularly, St. John’s Bush tea can help normalize irregular, heavy, or painful periods. It balances menstrual flow.
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Eases menstrual cramps/pain – The anti-inflammatory compounds help decrease cramps and pelvic discomfort associated with periods and conditions like endometriosis.
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Supports ovulation – By regulating hormones, St. John’s Bush can help normalize ovulation which aids fertility but also PCOS.
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May shrink fibroids – Some women report reduction in fibroid size and symptoms when drinking St. John’s Bush tea consistently.
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Potential uterine tonic – Thought to tone and strengthen the uterine muscles when taken regularly.
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Rich in iron – Provides easily absorbable iron to replenish levels diminished by heavy menstrual bleeding. Also boosts energy.
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Hormone balancing effects – Contains compounds that may help regulate estrogen and progesterone naturally.
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Possible liver support – Many bitter herbs like St. John’s Bush are considered cleansing for the liver which processes hormones.
The way to use St. John’s Bush is to pour boiling water over the dried leaves and allow them to steep for 5-15 minutes. The liquid will turn a deep red color. Drink 1-3 cups per day. Consistency is key to get the best benefits over time.
Benefits and Uses of St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort has been extensively studied and proven effective for:
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Relieving depression – It is as effective as prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.
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PMS mood swings – Shown to reduce anger, irritability, crying, anxiety, and depression associated with PMS based on its mood-lifting properties.
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Nerve pain relief – Used both topically and internally to reduce nerve pain and discomfort associated with conditions like sciatica, shingles, and fibromyalgia.
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Wound healing – Promotes faster healing of wounds, burns, and skin irritations when applied topically as an infused oil or ointment. Also protects against infections.
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Anti-inflammatory – Contains active compounds that reduce inflammation, both when ingested and applied to the skin. Helpful for swollen joints.
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Antiviral activity – Thought to fight some viral infections more effectively than placebo, especially herpes simplex. Also used topically for cold sores.
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Seasonal affective disorder – The mood-lifting and hormonal effects of St. John’s Wort are useful in treating the winter blues.
St. John’s Wort can be taken as a capsule, tablet, liquid extract, or tea made from the flowers and leaves. Follow dosage directions carefully when ingesting internally, as high doses can cause sensitivity to light. Use the infused oil topically.
Are They Interchangeable?
Absolutely not! St. John’s Bush and St. John’s Wort cannot be used interchangeably. They contain different active ingredients and therefore should not be expected to have the same effects!
While they are both useful herbs, St. John’s Bush works specifically on menstrual and hormonal issues in women while St. John’s Wort is more directed at nerve pain, wound healing, and emotional problems like depression.
Never try to substitute one for the other. They are completely different botanically. Make sure you use the right herb for your intended purpose.
Can You Take Them Together?
There are no known contraindications or interactions between taking St. John’s Bush and St. John’s Wort together. However, for optimal results it is best to focus on using one herb at a time.
Since their effects can overlap, combining the two herbs may overstimulate certain processes in the body. Start with only one to assess benefits and effects. Later on, you may find a combination of the two herbs helpful but proceed cautiously.
Also be aware that St. John’s Wort can potentially interact with and decrease effectiveness of some medications, especially birth control pills, antidepressants, heart medications, and anticancer drugs. Talk to your doctor before combining internally.
Where to Buy Quality St. John’s Bush and St. John’s Wort
If you want to try using either of these two beneficial herbs, be sure you get them from a reputable supplier. Here are some tips:
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Always buy from trusted herbal companies, not random retailers.
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Seek out organic or ethically wild-harvested herbs when possible.
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Choose products made from the whole herb (leaves, flowers) not just extracts.
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Avoid brands that use fillers, preservatives, binders, or flow agents.
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Look for third-party testing for purity and potency.
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Buy small batches often for freshness as herbs lose potency over time.
St. John’s Bush is harder to find than the more mainstream St. John’s Wort. Rich Sol Foods offers high quality, sustainably harvested St. John’s Bush tea and tincture products. Their products are lovingly made in small batches and tested for identity, purity, and quality.