PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ST. JOHN'S WORT TEA SAMPLES (Hypericum perforatum) SOLD IN THE CITY OF SANTOS (SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL)

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants as a form of pharmacological treatment goes back centuries and has regained strength in recent years. One of the plants that has gained notoriety is Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John’s wort, which has antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. Therefore, this research sought to analyze the levels of phenolic compounds and quinones in samples of St. John’s wort tea sold in the city of Santos (São Paulo, Brazil), verifying whether they are in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia. This study discusses the inclusion of H. perforatum in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, as well as the implementation of this plant species in the Unified Health System (SUS)