SJW and photosensitivity.

Date: Tue, 13 Jun 1995 13:51:24 -0700
To: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR>
From: Colette Gardiner <coletteg.EFN.ORG>
Subject: St. John's Wort

Re: photosensitivity:

I wanted to add that external use should not cause that to occur and there is quite a bit of debate as to wether or not internal use causes sensitivity in humans. Kathi Keville of the American Herb Assoc. stated in a letter to (I believe) Herbalgram that there has been no studies or research to suggest that the problem occurs in humans. The research on photosensitivity was done on cattle in Australia. I have heard of some anecdotal instances, one involving St. john's wort gel,ultra sound to "drive it in" and subsequent sunburn of the area after exposure to sun. Didn't exactly sound like solid info to me but then a lot of herbal info is anecdotal in nature.

Green Blessings
Colette Gardiner

From: phxhawk <phxhawk.INDIRECT.COM>

I'd like to add that I've been taking this herb in tincture form for over a year - I live in Phx, AZ the Land of the Hot Heat - and I have NOT experienced any photosensitivity.