Synopsis

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

Hypericin is a naturally occurring compound found in the plant Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort). Its use in viral infections is primarily supported by laboratory and preclinical studies rather than robust clinical evidence. In vitro (test tube) studies have demonstrated that hypericin possesses antiviral activity against a range of viruses, including enveloped viruses such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, and some flaviviruses. The proposed mechanism involves hypericin's ability to generate reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light, which can inactivate viral particles and disrupt viral replication.

Despite these promising laboratory results, clinical trials in humans are scarce and largely inconclusive. There is not enough evidence from well-conducted human studies to support the routine use of hypericin or St. John's Wort extracts for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. Most clinical research on St. John's Wort focuses on its antidepressant properties rather than its antiviral effects.

In summary, while there is scientific rationale and some preclinical evidence for hypericin's antiviral activity, clinical validation is lacking. The evidence rating is 2, reflecting promising laboratory data but insufficient human data to support its use for viral infections in clinical settings.

More about Hypericin
More about Infection (viral)

Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)

2'-Fucosyllactose
Abies spectabilis
Acemannan
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agave
AHCC
Ajoene
Alchornea
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
alpha-pinene
Alstonia scholaris
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Artepillin C
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Bauhinia
bee propolis
Belamcanda
berberine
beta-glucan
betel
betulinic acid
black cumin
Blepharis
boneset
Brazilian peppertree
burdock
calamus
Campsiandra angustifolia
carvacrol
cassia bark
casticin
cat's claw
Centipeda
Cistus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Coptis chinensis
coriolus mushroom
curcumin
cuspidatum root
Cymbidium goeringii
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dialyzable leukocyte extract
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
eucalyptus
European Elder
fernbush
Flueggea suffruticosa
fucoidan
galangin
Gallesia
geranium
ginger
Globulins
Glucan peptides
golden shower tree
goldenseal
Graviola
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Hypericin
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
iodine
Ivy
Java brucea
Kachnar
knotgrass
Labdanum
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lapachol
lauric acid
Lentinan
lichen
licorice root
liverwort
Lomatium
mangosteen
mangostin
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Myrobalan
Naphthoquinones
oriental arborvitae
pau d'arco
Pelargonium
Phellodendron
phlorotannins
Phragmites
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
polysaccharides
Premna
Quebracho
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Rhabdosia rubescens
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sanguisorba
sarsaparilla
selenium
Shikimic Acid
Shikonin
Simaruba
Smoketree
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet wormwood
Swertia
Tannins
Terpinen-4-ol
Thiosulfinate
Thuja
Trametes
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Tylophorine
Verbascoside
Viscum coloratum
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
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Zinc
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Other health conditions supported by Hypericin

Cancer (natural therapy for)
Depression
Herpes
Infection (viral)
Skin (infections)
Wounds and Sores

Products containing Hypericin

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.