2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
St. John's wort / Hypericum perforatom / is a yellow-flowering, perennial herb, typical of Europe, which has been introduced in many areas of the world with a temperate climate and usually grows as a wild herb occupying entire meadows. Its common name, namely St. John's wort, comes from its time of traditional flowering and harvesting on St. John's Day, June 24.
The herb has been priced extremely much in antiquity, but has been undeservedly discarded over the centuries. Nowadays, the properties of St. John's wort are undeniable. Some scientists call it a magical herb that naturally infuses light and energy into the human body. Scientists have rediscovered St. John's wort in recent years and have even proven that it works as well as a number of synthetic preparations, but without their side effects.
St. John's wort is grown commercially in some parts of Southeast Europe, but is nonetheless accused of poisonous grass in more than twenty countries such as South America, India, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
In pastures, St. John's wort acts as both a toxic and aggressive weed. St. John's wort has a complex life cycle, which includes a mature plant cycle and vegetative and sexual reproduction. It grows in areas with winter or summer dominant rainfall.
The first evidence of the use of St. John's wort for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient Greece. This herb is also used by Native Americans as an internal and external anti-inflammatory drug, as a hemostatic and antiseptic.
The use of St. John's Wort As an herbal tea it has also long been popular. St. John's wort flowers and stems have also been used to produce red and yellow dyes.
Composition of St. John's wort
St. John's wort contains a number of ingredients that affect brain metabolism, which leads to long-term improvement of mood and overall mental state. These are:
Hypericin - the most important component of the plant is hypericin. It has a positive effect on the brain, and therefore the psyche. Hypericin affects brain metabolism and plays an important role in the transmission of brain impulses. The dried St. John's Wort contains up to 1.5% hypericin and its colors - up to 0.3%. The most significant effect of hypericin is its ability to control brain neurotransmitters.
Hyperforin - has bactericidal properties and has a disinfectant effect, due to which its quality heals wounds faster. However, this ingredient is very volatile and simply decomposes under the influence of heat. This determines the presence of hyperforin only in fresh St. John's wort or in freshly obtained oil extract.
Flavonoids - St. John's wort contains a number of special flavones. Its leaves, for example, contain quercetin and quercetin - flavonoids that have a very positive effect on hormones and break down the hormone of happiness / serotonin /.
Tannins - have many medicinal properties, but most importantly, they increase the blood supply to the heart and at the same time strengthen it.
Essential oils - they are contained in large quantities in the medicinal plant.
Selection and storage of St. John's wort
St. John's wort is an herb that can be found in dry form in any aisle. However, the old herbalists say that herbs are most healing when we have picked them ourselves. It blooms all summer, but it is best to pick on June 24 - Midsummer's Day.
St. John's wort is stored dried, placed in a dry and cool place.
Use of St. John's wort
Depending on the type of disease, St. John's wort can be taken internally (tea, tincture or powder) or externally (in the form of an oil extract).
Tea - this is the simplest to use the beneficial properties of St. John's wort. All you need to make tea is the dried herb. Soak 6 tsp. St. John's wort in half a liter of boiling water. Leave to stand for about 5 minutes, and the container must be covered to preserve the essential oils.
Tincture - is an alcoholic extract of specific parts of the plant. In the tincture the beneficial powers of St. John's wort are maximally preserved. Tinctures are most recommended for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Powder - powdered dried St. John's wort has a very high concentration of quercetin, which makes it a quick and effective remedy for mental complaints. The powder of this herb is considered a very strong prophylactic against insidious cancer.
Oily extract - is mainly used externally, is very valuable in rheumatism, gout and open purulent wounds. You can find the extract in pharmacies.
Benefits of St. John's wort
St. John's wort Today it is best known for its herbal treatment for depression. In some countries, such as Germany, it is often prescribed for mild depression. The drug produced from St. John's wort is usually in the form of tablets or capsules, and also in the form of tea bags or tinctures.
St. John's wort extracts are more effective than placebo in patients with major depression. St. John's wort has an efficacy similar to standard antidepressants. Also, the risk of side effects or harmful side effects when taking this herb is twice lower than with newer SSRI antidepressants and five times lower than with older tricyclic antidepressants.
St. John's wort is also used as an extract in the form of drops for ear infections, ear pain or tinnitus.
The chemical ingredient hyperforin contained in St. John's wort may be useful in the treatment of alcoholism, but the dose, safety and efficacy of this have not yet been studied. Hyperforin has also been found to have antibacterial properties associated with negative bacteria.
St. John's wort it is generally well tolerated and its adverse effects profile is similar to that of placebo.
Harm from St. John's wort
St. John's wort enhances the effect of some and reduces the effect of other drugs, so before combining with medication, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The woman should be especially careful when taking birth control pills, because St. John's wort reduces their effect and unwanted pregnancies can occur.
Although in very rare cases, St. John's wort can cause photosensitivity. It is a visual sensitivity to light and sunburn.
People with low blood pressure should be very careful when taking this herb because it may be contraindicated for them.
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