St. John’s Wort for Vitiligo: A Simple, Low-Cost Way to Partially Ease the Problem

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St. John’s wort has long been used in phytomedicine as a natural antidepressant, antispasmodic, and diuretic—and also as a photosensitizer. This last property is why it is sometimes used as an adjunct in vitiligo care. The plant contains the pigment hypericin in relatively high concentration. Accumulating in human tissues, it may help offset reduced pigmentation, and—under indirect sunlight—can additionally stimulate melanocyte activity.It is not a panacea for advanced vitiligo. Herbal care is best combined with procedures and medicines prescribed by a clinician. However, if depigmented patches do not exceed ~80% of the skin, St. John’s wort may help slow progression; at very early stages it can sometimes temporarily reverse the appearance of patches.

St. John’s Wort Tincture (Oral)

For internal use, prepare a simple water infusion at home.

  1. Use dried St. John’s wort (from a pharmacy or self-collected and dried).
  2. Pour 250 ml boiling water per 1 tbsp herb.
  3. Seal the vessel; let it stand at room temperature until fully cooled.
  4. Strain through a fine sieve before use.

Storage: refrigerate. Dose: 30 minutes before meals, 3×/day, for 3 weeks. If the result is insufficient, take a 1-week break and repeat.

Topical Care: St. John’s Wort Oil

Topical use of this natural photosensitizer is advisable together with the tincture. You can prepare the oil at home.

Method A — From Dried Herb

  1. Grind 20 g dried herb, mix with 1 cup vegetable oil (sea buckthorn or almond preferred; plain unrefined olive oil also works).
  2. Heat on a water bath for ~30 minutes, stirring periodically.
  3. Strain and pour into a dark glass bottle.

Method B — From Fresh Flowers (Solar Infusion)

  1. Separate flower heads, rinse, and pack tightly in a 1-liter jar.
  2. Fill with vegetable oil to ~¾ of the jar, cover the mouth with gauze.
  3. Place in a sunny spot; change gauze daily and stir with a wooden spoon.
  4. After 3–4 weeks, strain the dark-amber concentrate and refrigerate.

How to Use (Compress + Sun)

  1. Warm a small portion of oil on a water bath.
  2. Saturate a thin cloth and apply to vitiligo patches for ~40 minutes.
  3. Follow with brief sun exposure: start with 1–2 minutes of indirect sunlight; gradually increase up to ~10 minutes as tolerated.

The idea is to allow hypericin to accumulate in the skin and, with controlled light, encourage pigment production.

Tablets with Duckweed Resin Extract and St. John’s Wort

Vitizen tablets combine duckweed (known in vitiligo care) and St. John’s wort—available on our website.

If You Also Use a Vitiligo Lamp

Be extra cautious when using a lamp during St. John’s wort care. Reduce exposure time and lengthen intervals between sessions (e.g., from every other day to every third day).

Important Safety & Evidence Note

  • St. John’s wort is a photosensitizer. It can increase light sensitivity and cause burns with excessive UV/sun. Use gentle, indirect light and protect unaffected skin.
  • Herbal approaches are adjunctive, not a replacement for medical treatment. Discuss use with your clinician—St. John’s wort has drug interactions (e.g., antidepressants, anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives).
  • Clinical evidence for vitiligo is limited; effects vary. For core therapies, see NB-UVB, excimer 308 nm, and calcineurin inhibitors.
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