In a message dated 09/07/97  09:24:22, you write:

<<
 St. Johnswort / HYPERicum...
         Why is it called HYPERicum?  Should hyper type persons avoid the
herb? >>


 It will be the old Latin name for the herb, which will have been around
 a lot longer than the word hyperthyroidism.

St Johns Wort has been around for hundreds of years, first used around the
sixteenth century to maintain a healthy emotional balence. The thyroid
condition would not have been recognised as such until perhaps the late
1800's early 1900's. So there is a good chance it would have been used to
treat the emotional effects of thyroid disorders anyway in years gone by.


Carol.