Home / Herbalist / The therapeutic properties and contraindications of St. John's wort

The therapeutic properties and contraindications of St. John's wort

Botanical description Hypericum

One of the most effective in the therapeutic practice of the plant Hypericum perforatum, or common. This medicinal herb grows to 30-70 cm, blooms in June-August, small yellow flowers. The most favorable habitats – the bright forest glades and dry meadows. For therapeutic purposes, using leafy tops of plants with inflorescences. Collect their best from the beginning of flowering, as during this period the content of nutrients as possible.

In nature there are several types of herbs, called St. John's wort. There are shrubs with the same name, and even small trees. In folk medicine, the use of the common Hypericum (perforatum) and tutsan square. They differ in both appearance and medicinal properties only slightly.

In the Middle ages it was believed that St. John's wort is able to protect from evil spirits, ghosts and witches. It put the baby in the crib or hung to the cradle. It was believed that since the baby will dream good dreams, and evil spirits will not scare him.

On the fresh herb St. John's wort was wondering girls love: crushed stems in her hands, if the juice were red – the feeling was mutual, if colorless, the choice was indifferent.

St. John's wort taken with you on the go travellers, it was believed that it will protect from the attacks of wild beasts and robbers.

There are many legends about the origin of St. John's wort. So, Christian people its occurrence is associated with the death of John the Baptist. When he was beheaded, on the spot fell to the ground drops of blood rose St. John's wort. Therefore, according to the Slavic tradition, this plant is called "Ivanova blood."


Composition and useful properties of St. John's wort

Classical medicine

In the official medical practice to use as the dried raw material is the herb St. John's wort and drugs made based on it.

The plant is used in the following conditions:

The effectiveness of this herb in inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity due to the large amount of tannins, volatile production, and beta-carotene.

On the basis of an extract of Hypericum made the preparation Novoimanin. It is indicated for purulent diseases of the skin – abscesses, phlegmon, infected wounds, burns, inflammation of the pharynx, sinus. Its efficiency is so high that it is able to suppress the growth of Golden staphwhich is resistant to penicillin drugs.

Choleretic effect and the ability to normalize intestinal motility in flatulence and diarrhea associated with the content in the plant essential oil.

Well-known St. John's wort's ability to remove symptoms of depression. Numerous studies have shown that patients with mild depression the efficacy of preparations based on Hypericum even higher than that of classic antidepressant. In addition, the herbal drug does not cause drowsiness, lethargy, does not affect the ability to drive, does not reduce the reaction rate. Antidepressant based on St. John's wort improves mood, removes anxiety, cause a burst of vitality. Official medicine on the basis of St. John's wort to combat depression, anxiety, irritability, and anxiety: the German drug Gelarium the Hypericum and Russian herbal remedy Negrustin, which are sold without a prescription.

Folkmedicine

bruises, and used as a lotion to the sore spot – for example, in allergies, rashes, as well as after the bites of insects. You can add a little honey and apply to the plant as bandages for joints or lower back.

Rarely use the fresh juice of St. John's wort. As the desired amount of juice is difficult to obtain, the most infusions, tinctures, decoctions, ointments and oil.

St. John's wort infusion: for infusion you need to take 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs or 1 tablespoon dry, and fill it with 200 ml of boiling water. To insist 3-4 hours in a dark place, after which the tool can be used 15 ml 3 times a day before meals to get rid of gastritis, normalization of gastric acidity, with colitis, cystitis, cholelithiasis, headache, to improve venous circulation, increase blood pressure , etc. for colds or infections of the mouth using a gargle of infusion of Hypericum. For the treatment of inflammation of the skin prepare a lotion or compress with the same tool. Infusion is used for treating skin diseases in children, adding it to the tub when bathing.

A decoction of St. John's wort: it is used in virtually the same way as the infusion. To prepare the broth needed enameled pot or cookware heat-resistant glass. Take 1.5 tablespoons of the herbs and pour her a glass of hot water. Then a container of brewed grass heated in a water bath for 20-30 minutes, but do not boil. A decoction of St. John's wort is used externally for washing, wipe the skin, rinse the hair inside the intestinal infections, diarrhea.

Tincture of St. John's wort: Insist the herb St. John's wort in vodka or alcohol in a ratio of 1:7 or 1:10, leave in a dark place for three days or more. The use of the drug should be mixed with water, one teaspoon per 50 ml of water. Use this medicine for rinsing the mouth and for inhalation. Very effective alcoholate as a hot compress withmuscle or joint pain.

For external use prepare an ointment or oil. This remedy promotes the healing of wounds, ulcers, bruises, sprains, etc. Prepare an ointment by mixing animal fat, petroleum jelly or fat baby cream with evaporated John's wort extract or powder of dry grass.

St. John's wort oil: it can be prepared in the following manner: take one part of the flowers and infuse in two parts of olive, almond or peach oil for three weeks. Such a drug is used as the oil compresses to treat ulcers, burns or wounds.

To prepare the medication you can take and regular vegetable oil, add the dried herb and infuse for 5 days (ratio 1:1,5). If medicinal oil is prepared on the basis of fresh herbs, then keep the ratio of 1:1. In the villages of Siberia this oil is widely used for the treatment of the gums and oral mucosa (in case of stomatitis or gingivitis).

Tea from St. John's wort. It is prepared in the same way as a hot infusion. In the teapot poured 1 teaspoon St. John's wort and pour 1 Cup of boiling water. Tea can be added color of lime, a spoon of honey or a handful of strawberries. Tea is not used as a curative and as a prophylactic to strengthen immunity.

There are many recipes of traditional medicine, based on St. John's wort. Here is the best of them.

Treatment of stomach St. John's wort

If gastritis accompanied by severe pain, it is possible to use herbal. To prepare you will need one of the herbs meadowsweet vyazolistny, nettle and St. John's wort. Grass needs to be put in a dry jar, mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Then take 1 tablespoon of the mixture, pour into teapot and pour 200 ml of boiling water. To insist 1 hour. Drink half a Cup 5 times a day before meals.

If gastritis is bothering heartburn, collecting plants: 1 tablespoon St. John's wort, sushenitsy, yarrow. All the ingredients pour 1 liter of water. Allow to stand for 2 hours, take half a Cup half an hour before a meal or at the onset of heartburn.

Treatment of vitiligo is St. John's wort

Vitiligo is a disease where, for unknown reasons, in certain areas of the skin loses its pigment, melanin, in this place there are white spots rounded shape. In severe cases they grow slowly merge together and capturing newarea of the body. Often prone to vitiligo is exposed areas: face, neck, décolleté, hands. The spots do not hurt and do not itch.

For a long time for treatment of vitiligo applied St. John's wort. In the fight against this disease used tincture of herbs and ointment:

  • Infusion for the treatment of vitiligo. To prepare necessary to take 1 teaspoon of dried herb St. John's wort, put in a porcelain kettle, pour 1 Cup of boiling water, leave to infuse for half an hour, drain. Take 1 tablespoon in the morning, at lunch, in the evening before retiring during 3 weeks. After 8 days of treatment interruption repeat. To do so as long as the total number of courses is 8;
  • Ointment for the treatment of vitiligo. Gather the fresh flowers of Hypericum, well compacted in a glass jar "on the shoulders". Pour the vegetable cold-pressed oil, preferably olive, how much. To put it in the sun for 2 weeks. Again to collect fresh flowers of Hypericum, are tightly compacted in the jar, pour the pressed oil from the first portion. To insist 2 weeks. To gather the flowers in the jar and pour the pressed oil from the second portion. To do so 5 times. Vegetable oil by the end turns into a thick viscous liquid, resembling cream. Grease stains for vitiligo need 1 times a day, leave until completely absorbed. Residues wash off after 30 minutes with warm water.

Treatment of sinusitis St John's wort

For the treatment of sinusitis by using St. John's wort will need a decoction of this herb (see recipe above). Before washing to drip in a nose vasoconstrictive drops to relieve swelling and to allow the healing waters to the nasal sinuses.

Rinse nasal cavity with warm decoction of Hypericum 3 times a day. After the procedure well vysmarkivatsya from both nostrils. The course of treatment is 7 days. Washing can be done with a syringe without the needle. Tilt your head over the sink, dial into the syringe the broth and put in the nostril. Emitting liquid to spit.

Treatment of liver St. John's wort

With stagnation in the gallbladder, cholecystitis should be stimulation of the secretion of bile. With this task cope well infusion of Hypericum (recipe see above). Upon waking drink 0.5 cups of infusion on an empty stomach. In half an hour for Breakfast. During the day, take 2 tablespoons after each meal, but not more than 5 times a day. Duration of treatment is 7 days.

Treatment of gastritis St. John's wort

Infusion plants well helps with acute gastritis. To prepare you will need 1 tablespoon or 1 filter bag of weedSt. John's wort, brew them in a glass container with 1 glass of boiling water. Leave to infuse for about 1 hour. Drink 15 ml (1 tablespoon) after each meal.

Alcoholism treatment St. John's wort

To induce feelings of aversion to alcohol by using St. John's wort prepare a strong decoction. Four tablespoons chopped dry grass pour 2 cups boiling water, heated in a water bath for half an hour. Cool. Drink 2 tablespoons morning and evening before meals. The trick is to be conscious, that is, the effect will be if you add the broth in food without the knowledge of the patient. The course of treatment – 14 days.

Treatment of depression with St. John's wort

Since those components of medicinal plants, which have an antidepressant effect, are poorly soluble in water, the best drug in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders is St. John's wort tincture. You can cook it at home. The recipe is written above. For getting rid of depression take 10-12 drops of tincture 3 times a day before meals. The duration of treatment is 1 month.


Contraindications and side effects of Hypericum

St. John's wort refers to slightly toxic to plants. If this herb to use for a long time, can cause unpleasant sensations in the liver area, sometimes a feeling of bitterness in the mouth.

The major side effects and contraindications are:

  • Photosensitivity is an increased sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, those who receive treatment with St. John's wort, should not be long to be under direct sunlight;
  • The plant causes an increase in blood pressure, so patients with hypertension should consult a physician before beginning treatment with this herb;
  • The substances contained in the St. John's wort, can cause rejection of the transplanted organ. Therefore, patients undergoing surgery, organ transplant or implant graft, use of drugs on the basis of this plant is prohibited;
  • Women taking birth control pills, it should be remembered that St. John's wort reduces contraceptive effect, so it is possible the occurrence of unwanted pregnancy.
  • Prolonged use of this medicinal herb can cause weakening of potency in men, which disappeared after discontinuation of the drug;
  • Drinking decoctions and infusions of St. John's wort more than 1 month in a row causing increasedliver;
  • Patients with mental illness, this herb can cause exacerbation of mania. The same effect may occur while taking St. John's wort with other antidepressants. Patients can begin hallucinations, seizures, confusion, severe cases coma can occur;

  • You should not take St. John's wort along with antibiotics, as it promotes more rapid excretion of the drug from the body, whereby the effect of antimicrobial therapy reduced;
  • Another important note: St. John's wort can reduce twice the blood levels of very important medicine for AIDS called Indinavir. Taking this into account, people with AIDS, you should not use St. John's wort. In addition, the plant significantly reduces the effects of anticoagulants and heart medications, so with these tools it is better not to use;

  • Older people who use modern antidepressants, St. John's wort should be taken with extreme caution. The combination of this medicinal herb with antidepressant medications may lead to dizziness, confusion, anxiety and attacks of migraine;

  • Care must be taken to use St. John's wort for people who require anesthesia, as this plant is able to prolong or enhance the effects of some painkillers. Therefore, before the introduction of anesthesia it is very important to inform the doctor about the use of St. John's wort. Recent studies of plants have shown that some components of plants having more negative impact on the optic nerve.

Is it possible to use St. John's wort during pregnancy?

As this plant is known for its healing properties, very often the question arises, whether expectant mothers to use it? To use St. John's wort inside with carrying a child and breastfeeding is strictly contraindicated, as St. John's wort can negatively affect the course of pregnancy, but still gives the bitter taste to breast milk.

External application in the form of ointments, rinsing, washing, allowed women at all stages of gestation.



okolova Nina Vladimirovna, doctor-naturopath, herbalist