Magic herb - St. John's wort

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

St. John's wort, as well as tetrahedral, is one of the most effective medicinal herbs in folk and traditional medicine. Other names of the plant characterize its medicinal and external properties: magic herb, ailment, St. John's wort, St.

This miraculous herb was recognized as capable of fighting 99 different types of diseases. But you should not recklessly approach the use of medicinal decoctions, tinctures or lotions, like some medicinal plants - St. John's wort is low-toxic, therefore it has a list of contraindications that should be carefully studied in consultation with your doctor.

Botanical description of the herb

St. John's wort is a medicinal plant, up to 70-100 cm high, with a thin root with numerous lateral branches. Branched stems of the plant are smooth, erect, dihedral (tetrahedral).

Leaves are oval or oblong, small in size, with translucent oily glands like black dots. Bright yellow flowers with dark (black) blotches are collected in dense inflorescences.

The fruit of the plant is a polyspermous oblong box of brown or red color, opening with three valves.

The flowering period of the medicinal herb, which has a large set of useful properties and a relatively small range of contraindications, lasts from June to August, depending on the region of growth. The collection of the plant is carried out at the peak of flowering, when the concentration of nutrients is maximum. In St. John's wort, it is recommended to cut off the upper part with inflorescences and leaves to a length of up to 30 cm. Raw materials are dried in shady, well-ventilated rooms.

A dry plant should break, not bend. Store dried herb in cloth bags and sterilized jars, in a dark, dry place.

Composition and useful properties

St. John's wort, surprising in terms of the breadth of the spectrum of effects, has gained popularity among phytotherapists and adherents of traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties and a small list of contraindications.

The main active ingredients of the substance, thanks to which St. John's wort becomes so versatile in the treatment of various diseases:

1. Tannins - have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Flavonoids - normalize intestinal motility, strengthen capillaries. They have a choleretic effect and improve digestion.
3. Resins - have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and expectorant properties.
4. Vitamin E - participates in the protein metabolism of the body.
5. Vitamins of group B - have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
6. Vitamins C and P - strengthen the immune system, prevent the appearance of malignant tumors.
7. Cineol - has a beneficial effect on the nervous system: improves sleep, relieves stress, increases overall tone.
8. Geraniol - effective in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli. It actively fights against the influenza virus and various parasites.
9. Alkaloids - in complex therapy, they fight stressful and depressive conditions, neuroses.
10. Myrcene - actively inhibits the growth of E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
11. Azulene - has a regenerating effect.
12. Hypericin - contributes to the rejuvenation of the body, destroying old weakened cells, contributing to the formation of new ones. Among the negative phenomena - increases susceptibility to ultraviolet light.
13. Quercetin and Isoquercitin - has a choleretic and vasoconstrictor effect.
14. Hyperozide - reduces the tone of smooth muscles, actively fights inflammation and edema, allergic manifestations.
15. Pinens - used in the treatment of diseases of small vessels and capillaries.
16. Rutin - is able to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
17. Coumarin - prevents the formation of blood clots.
18. Saponins - have a mild laxative and diuretic effect, and also inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.

Use in treatment

John's wort has been known in alternative medicine for a long time, the first written confirmation of its use dates back to the 5th century BC.

The practical application of this "magic" herb began much earlier, but to this day St. John's wort is one of the most popular herbs among naturopaths, despite some contraindications in its use.

The explanation for this is the amazing properties of the plant used in the treatment of a huge number of various diseases:

• headaches and dizziness;
• pain in muscles and joints (rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis, arthrosis);
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• colds and bronchitis;
• viral, infectious diseases (increases the body's immune forces, lowers temperature, fights viruses);
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, gallbladder, liver, intestines);
• diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, pyelonephritis, bedwetting, female and male diseases of the reproductive system);
• depression, neurosis and related conditions (insomnia, fatigue, irritability);
• dermatological diseases and special skin conditions (acne, acne, vitiligo, seborrheic dermatitis, age-related skin changes, cracked skin of the feet and hands);
• increased hair loss (alopecia), dandruff;
• prevention and treatment of oncological diseases;
• haemorrhoids;
• helminthic invasions;
• alcohol addiction.

Today the herb St. John's wort is used in many pharmaceuticals, its medicinal properties have been proven to be effective in the treatment of diseases such as:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (dyskinesia of the biliary tract, hypotension of the gallbladder, low acidity of the stomach, cholecystitis, hepatitis, bloating, impaired intestinal motility, flatulence, diarrhea);
• inflammatory diseases of the throat (tonsillitis, pharyngitis) and sinusitis;
• inflammatory diseases in the oral cavity (periodontitis, stomatitis, gingivitis);
• purulent skin diseases - abscesses, boils, phlegmon, infected wounds, bedsores, burns;
• elimination of depressive manifestations (except for severe forms of the disease): insomnia, neurasthenia and increased anxiety.

It should be borne in mind that the use of medicines based on St. John's wort also implies a certain range of contraindications specified in the annotation.

St. John's wort in folk medicine

Alternative medicine most often uses the healing properties of medicinal herbs for external and internal use in the following forms:

• infusion on water;
• alcohol tincture;
• extract from a plant;
• single and compound tea;
• decoction of herbs;
• ointment based on a medicinal plant;
• St. John's wort oil.

Various infusions, teas, tinctures and other types of preparations are prepared in compliance with certain proportions (dosages) and taking into account all contraindications, due to the low toxicity of the herbal component.

Restrictions on the use of the plant

St. John's wort, like many medicinal herbs, has not only positive healing properties, but also a number of contraindications that should be taken into account when choosing drugs and remedies based on this miraculous plant.

St. John's wort can have a strong negative effect on the human body if taken uncontrollably for a long time:

1. Before starting a treatment course, it is necessary to consult a competent specialist who will select the necessary scheme for each specific case of the disease.
2. The use of St. John's wort inside is strictly prohibited during pregnancy and lactation. It is possible to use plant preparations externally or locally.
3. It is not recommended to use the plant preparations inside for children under the age of 12 years.
4. Use for external and local treatment is allowed in the absence of allergy to the components of the medicinal herb.
5. It is required to exclude the use of the plant, with prolonged exposure to the sun, as well as when visiting a solarium or treatment with UV radiation, since there is a high probability of photosensitivity (reactions in the form of redness, burns and blisters on the skin, as from excessive sunburn).
6. The use of the plant in conjunction with oral contraceptives weakens (neutralizes) their effect, breakthrough bleeding and unplanned pregnancy are possible.
7. It is not recommended to use St. John's wort during antibiotic therapy, otherwise the effect of the latter weakens.
8. The use of herbs for hypertension is contraindicated.
9. The combined use of St. John's wort and antidepressants, which can lead to hallucinations, confusion, increased anxiety, seizures and coma, is prohibited.
10. You should not use the herb St. John's wort for serious mental illness, otherwise there is a likelihood of developing manic syndrome.
11. Serious pathologies of the liver and kidneys, which are chronic in nature, also exclude the use of a medicinal plant.
12. It is worth postponing the intake of St. John's wort preparations when using anesthesia, the substances that make up the plant enhance and prolong the effect of painkillers.
13. Reception of St. John's wort reduces the effect of the drug "Indinavir" used in the treatment of AIDS patients.
14. St. John's wort herb should be eliminated in people undergoing or planning a transplant to avoid rejection.
15. It is not recommended to use the plant together with anticoagulants and cardiac drugs in order to avoid reducing their effectiveness.

Excessive and prolonged use of the herbal remedy can lead to headaches, cause nausea and vomiting.

Men may have temporary problems with potency.

You can not use St. John's wort in case of an allergic reaction to the components and substances that make up the medicinal plant.