ST JOHN'S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)

Family: Clusiaceae

„The healing power of St John's Wort is really  unbelievable – it is the most efficacious antidepressant in the pharmacy of the nature!”
"Johanniskraut, Heilmittel der Natur”, Dr.  Jörg Zittlau

Used parts

The over-ground parts are collected at the beginning or in the time of blooming. The leaved stalks with flowers and buds have to be trimmed 20 cm from the top.  The faded stalks are not good for use.

Ingredients:

Hypericin

Flavonoids

Hyperforin

Essential oils

Tans

Effects:

Anti-inflammatory,

Anti-microbial,

Healing wounds and ulcers,

Tonic over the nervous system,

Styptic effect,

Improving the blood supply of the cardiac muscle,

Intensifying the work of the heart,

Light increasing of the blood pressure,

Diuretic effect,

Soft antidepressant effect in cases of depressions and psychosomatic diseases

Unwanted effects:

Clinical tests in the area of depressive disorders show, that St. John’s is well tolerated. The unwanted effects are confined to placebo, namely digestion disorders, dizziness, fatigue and daze.

- Risks – By long term treatment with St. John’s based remedies the daily dose must be not more than 1 mg of the active ingredient (Hypericin)

- St. John`s Wort increases the photosensitivity of the skin because of its content of the fluorescent pigment Hypericin. Taken in overdoses it could cause disorders in skin pigmentation.

Attention!

People with inborn absence of melanin in the organism (albino) must not use this herb or its derivative remedies.

St. John’s Wort could cause reduction the effect of contraceptive remedies!

Uses:

- By wounds and burnings

- By inner infections

- By sport traumas

- By heart thinness

- For prevention of cancer diseases

The regular usage of St. John`s Wort in tea form or as herbal remedies and nutritional supplements based on St. John’s helps to improve altogether the condition and mood, it affects positively the conditions of tenseness and suppression by people exposed to permanent stress and intension.

All kinds of stomach disorders and diseases are positively affected by St. John’s Wort – acid dispepsia, wind, nausea, colic, bad digestion, diarrhea, ulcer disease, gastritis.

It affects positively cardiac problems, especially by high blood pressure. It helps by initial symptoms of flue - sore throat and rhinitis.                

Sources:

http://bg.wikipedia.org

www.pharmacy-bg.com

www.zachatie.org