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St. John’s wort can rightfully be called one of the most popular and well-known plants in folk medicine and herbal medicine. Decoctions, infusions or added to tea are prepared from this herb. They help to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and normalize well-being.
St. John’s wort: what are the features of the plant
This raw material is actively used in herbal medicine due to unique means and a special composition that helps in the normalization of metabolic processes. The plant contains myrcene, a compound that has antimicrobial activity against many dangerous bacteria. Geraniol has a similar effect, it has a bactericidal effect on the coccal flora, inhibits the growth of pathogenic intestinal flora and parasites.
Cineol has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, it helps to normalize sleep, fights insomnia, including during periods of stress and depression. It also has a general tonic effect, eliminates muscle spasms due to overexertion. Due to the content of hypericin, cell growth is stimulated, which is useful in wound healing and during the recovery period after illnesses, the same effect helps to prolong youth. Due to the content of plant alkaloids, St. John’s wort helps in the fight against neuroses and depressive disorders. The content of azulene enhances the positive effect of the herb on the nervous system, accelerates the healing of wounds.
Complements the effects of the content of saponins, which have a metabolic and diuretic effect, hyperoside with its anti-inflammatory properties and routine, which protects blood vessels.
The plant contains many vitamins – ascorbic acid, B vitamins, which help in the normalization of metabolic processes. Due to its composition, it is widely used for both oral and external therapy. The plant is used both fresh and dried, it does not lose its healing properties when properly collected and stored.
The healing properties of St. John’s wort
In herbal medicine, St. John’s wort is used as a mono-component or as part of fees. It is typical of a number of therapeutic and prophylactic properties used in the complex treatment of a number of diseases.
Due to its multicomponent composition, St. John’s wort has a number of useful properties:
Antimicrobial. Taking decoctions or infusions is recommended for microbial infections of various localizations. The components of raw materials inhibit the reproduction of bacteria, destroy pathogenic microbes.
Sedative. Due to the high content of B vitamins and additional components, decoctions and infusions calm the nervous system, help in the fight against stress, depression and mental overload.
Wound healing. Due to the ability to enhance tissue regeneration, St. John’s wort helps in the treatment of burns and wounds, various skin lesions with erosions. It is mainly used in the form of ointments and lotions.
Painkiller. Decoctions or infusions can help in the fight against pain that occurs with digestive problems, pathologies of the nervous system and joint damage.
Diuretic and choleretic. Due to the active components in the composition of the plant, decoctions or infusions help in removing excess fluid, normalize the outflow of bile from the liver.
Antiparasitic. Various herbal remedies with St. John’s wort help in the fight against intestinal parasites.
Antispasmodic. By relaxing smooth muscles and normalizing the functioning of the nervous system, phytopreparations with St. John’s wort help in the treatment of lesions of the digestive tract, accompanied by intestinal spasms.
Expectorant. The components of St. John’s wort help in thinning sputum and stimulating its removal from the lumen of the bronchi. The plant is actively used for respiratory pathologies, SARS and infections with a cough.
Plus, St. John’s wort has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels, and also helps in the prevention of rheumatic diseases, stimulates the immune system, and improves overall tone.
John’s wort contraindications
Although St. John’s wort is very useful and widely used in herbal medicine, before starting treatment, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications to taking it. It is forbidden to use any means with St. John’s wort in the presence of:
- photosensitivity states with an increase in skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, since St. John’s wort increases the sensitivity of the skin to light, it is prohibited to take it against the background of treatment with other photosensitizing agents or with an initial tendency to problems;
- hypertension, especially with crises – plant components increase the level of pressure due to vascular tone, therefore, for people with high blood pressure, St. John’s wort preparations for oral administration are prohibited at least until consultation with a specialist;
- after organ or tissue transplant taking St. John’s wort may increase the risk of transplant rejection due to the content of immunostimulating components in it;
- while taking contraceptives – one of the contraindications for treatment with St. John’s wort, it can completely block the effects of these drugs, leading to pregnancy;
- mental problems, especially with manic tendencies, against the background of taking St. John’s wort, they can intensify, so it is forbidden to take it;
- during treatment with antidepressants St. John’s wort orally can lead to hallucinations, mental depression and sleep problems, convulsions, anxiety, and headache.
St. John’s wort by mouth may reduce the effectiveness of some antibiotics, and increase the photosensitizing effect of some drugs. Therefore, the joint intake of these funds with decoctions and infusions of St. John’s wort is unacceptable.
St. John’s wort is contraindicated against the background of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection, it inhibits the activity of drugs.
Against the background of taking non-steroidal drugs and painkillers, the use of St. John’s wort can threaten to change the effect of drugs. It is dangerous to use St. John’s wort before surgical interventions with anesthesia, which threatens to damage the peripheral nerves.
It is forbidden to take this plant in pregnant and lactating women, it can harm the development of the child and threatens with allergies. Against the background of taking St. John’s wort in men, potency may temporarily decrease, which should also be remembered when treating with this drug. Long-term use of various types of drugs with St. John’s wort can threaten with an increase in the liver.
If you take St. John’s wort without consulting a doctor and without his approval, side effects from therapy are possible in the form of:
- various allergic skin rashes, redness and itching;
- severe headache;
- anxiety and fatigue;
- anemia;
- stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation;
- decreased appetite, bitter taste in the mouth.
The use of St. John’s wort
Women John’s wort is used as an additional remedy in the treatment of gynecological pathologies. It relieves PMS and pain during menstruation, normalizes hormone levels against menopause. Helps to strengthen the female body in times of stress. It is widely used in cosmetology, eliminating signs of aging, helping to smooth wrinkles and improve complexion.
In men helps relieve tension and stress, reduces the risk of vascular and heart disease, stimulates immunity and endurance.
Children St. John’s wort is used extremely carefully and only after the permission of the doctor. It can strengthen the immune system, eliminate skin diseases, relieve coughs and calm the nervous system.
Various forms of herbal medicine with St. John’s wort
This herbal raw material is used for the preparation of various compositions for oral and external administration. Each type of medicine, when taken correctly, helps in eliminating certain health problems. Before using any form of phytopreparations, it is necessary to determine the absence of allergies and individual intolerance.
Infusion
3 art. spoons of dry raw materials pour 1 cup of very hot water, leave warm for at least 2 hours. Then strain.
Take 1/3 cup twice a day.
The infusion is used in the treatment of digestive disorders, sleep disorders and the fight against cystitis. In addition, it helps in eliminating pain in the body, increasing emotional tone, improving sleep and relieving stress. Course reception can significantly improve the general condition.
Tincture
Pour 1 part of dry and crushed raw materials with 10 parts of alcohol (or 20 parts of vodka) and insist for 21 days in a cool, dark place, shaking every 2-3 days. After the expiration of this period, strain the tincture through a sieve and store in a dark glass container.
Apply 10 – 20 drops per glass of water inside or out, treating wounds and abrasions with a swab.
For gargling, dilute a teaspoon of tincture in a glass of warm water (children are not allowed!).
Alcohol tincture helps to eliminate inflammatory processes in the oral cavity with gingivitis or stomatitis. It is also used as an antiseptic for the treatment of minor abrasions, cuts or wounds. A diluted tincture can be gargled with a cold. When taken orally, it has a general tonic and sedative effect.
decoction
2 tbsp. tablespoons of dry chopped grass pour 250 ml of boiling water. Cook this mixture over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool the finished broth to room temperature and strain through a sieve.
Take 1/4 cup orally three times a day as directed by a physician.
Outwardly – moisten a cotton pad with a decoction and wipe the face in the morning and evening.
You can rinse the hair with a decoction and rub it into the hair roots.
The decoction can be used for microcirculation disorders, sleep problems and anxiety, to eliminate signs of aging, to treat various diseases on the recommendation of a doctor. Decoction can be wiped on the face and used as a healing mask.
Чouch
1 st. Add a spoonful of St. John’s wort, lemon balm, linden and rose hips to a teapot, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, use instead of tea leaves. Add honey or lemon to taste.
Take 1 cup three times a day.
St. John’s wort tea is one of the most popular herbal drinks. It helps in the fight against insomnia, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, protects against the negative effects of stress. Tea is no less useful for strengthening immunity and fighting colds, eliminates inflammation of the nasopharynx and gums, and the oral cavity.
Reviews of doctors about St. John’s wort
Olga Zorina, pharmacist, teacher of pharmacology, chief editor of MedCorr:
– St. John’s wort is also known as a sedative and mild antidepressant, is part of medicines, is used in the form of herbal teas. Often combined in the latter with oregano. It has a fairly strong anti-inflammatory effect, therefore it is also used as a gastric remedy. Infusions are also used in dentistry as an anti-inflammatory agent for rinsing the mouth.
Important! Contraindicated under 12 years of age, during pregnancy. It cannot be used in conjunction with common antidepressants (MAO uptake inhibitors) – it can distort or enhance the effect of the latter, has a photosensitizing effect, that is, while taking St. John’s wort, skin pigmentation may occur (you can not sunbathe).
Elena Korsun, Ph.D. head Department of Phytotherapy, ICM RUDN University, Head of the Educational and Health Center at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:
– St. John’s wort clearly manifests antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, detoxifying properties. St. John’s wort is prescribed in collections for all inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, urogenital area, joints, and vascular atherosclerosis.
Its healing effect on the nervous system was noted in chronic stress, neurosis, anxiety, asthenia, with pronounced choleric and melancholic temperament. It is often prescribed together with chamomile, calendula, apricot, elecampane, yarrow. Contraindications – nonspecific ulcerative colitis in the acute stage. The instructions for antidepressants say that when they are used, the appointment of St. John’s wort is contraindicated.