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

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).