This article will focus on the grass, which is part of the fees for the treatment of about a hundred different diseases - this is St. John's wort. It is a plant with variegated small yellow flowers, and can reach a height of one meter. It has been used as a component of various potions and decoctions since ancient times and is now very actively used in folk medicine, because it has an antibacterial and analgesic effect, but it also has a number of contraindications, which we will consider in detail.
Beneficial features
St. John's wort is one of the most interesting plants from the point of view of medicine, since it has a rich composition of minerals and active substances that are beneficial to humans. These include essential oil, nicotinic and ascorbic acid, flavonoids, vitamins E, C, P, PP, etc. Leaves and young shoots of St. John's wort are used for medical purposes. They prepare decoctions and infusions. For the treatment of skin inflammation, a decoction of the plant is added to the bath. St. John's wort roots are used to treat bone tuberculosis, dysentery.
John's wort is an excellent antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, as well as a diuretic and antihelminthic. It perfectly stops the blood, so it is used to treat wounds and injuries. Also, the plant is able to relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes, which allows it to be used to treat problems with the respiratory system and the female genital area. The content of the hypericin component in St. John's wort allows it to be used for the preparation of drugs that are aimed at combating depression.
Despite all the beneficial substances contained in St. John's wort, it also contains toxic substances that have a large number of negative effects on the process of perception, blood pressure rises.
Use as a tea or decoction
Currently, St. John's wort juice is practically not used to treat various diseases, because it is extremely difficult to obtain the required amount. For these reasons, the plant is commonly used as tinctures, decoctions, and teas.
A decoction of St. John's wort is used for oral administration, gargling, and also for treating skin inflammations. To prepare it, you need to take enameled dishes (resistant to high temperatures), grass and boiling water. It is necessary to observe the ratio of 200 ml of boiling water to 15 grams of dry grass. After that, the herb is brewed and put in a water bath for about 20 minutes, preventing the broth from boiling. Then sue the broth, strain and take during the day in equal portions.
St. John's wort can also be used as a tea. To do this, you need to take ordinary black brewed tea of good quality, add St. John's wort to it, pour boiling water over it and leave to infuse for 5 minutes. When preparing a tea drink, you need to adhere to the proportion per liter of boiling water 3 tablespoons of tea and one tablespoon of St. John's wort. To improve the taste of the drink, you can add sugar, honey or jam to it.
Who should not be treated with St. John's wort
St. John's wort, in addition to components beneficial to human health, contains toxic elements in its composition, so there are restrictions on its intake.
- Firstly John's wort should not be used by pregnant women. Its use should be avoided breastfeeding. When taking it breast milk acquires a pronounced taste of bitterness and can be rejected by the baby.
- Secondly, you can not use this medicinal plant for hypertensive patients, since it helps to increase blood pressure.
St. John's wort also cannot be used in parallel with taking heart medications, antibiotics, contraceptives, since the effect of drugs will be significantly reduced and even completely neutralized. If you want to drink a decoction of St. John's wort and at the same time drink drugs from the specified list, then on the contrary, a negative result can be achieved.
A healthy person should also be careful about taking decoctions, tinctures, teas based on St. John's wort. Long-term use of St. John's wort can contribute to the appearance of pain in the liver, symptoms acute gastritis and others. When using drugs based on St. sunstroke. When using St. John's wort in small quantities, for a short period of time and without the absence of contraindications, you will not harm yourself.
St. John's wort is now used in medicine in the treatment of prostatitis to relieve swelling. However, it should be understood that the use of St. John's wort should occur only under the supervision of a doctor and a strictly defined time. Self-use without a doctor's prescription can have an extremely negative impact on male strength.
Violations in reception, an increase in the duration of its use in some cases can lead to the appearance of impotence, which is usually temporary. At the same time, after stopping the use of drugs with St. John's wort sexual dysfunction may continue to be observed for some time.
Contraindications during pregnancy
During pregnancy, significant functional changes occur in the body of a woman, the hormonal background changes. To avoid negative consequences for the health of women and fetuses, doctors do not recommend the use of St. John's wort in any form (decoctions, tinctures, teas, drugs, etc.).
The use of any medications, including herbs during pregnancy, without consulting a doctor is undesirable.
Contraindications for children
Since St. John's wort is medicine, then it has certain restrictions on the reception of children. The manufacturer on the packaging of St. John's wort indicates an age limit of 12 years.
Experts recommend not using decoctions (infusions) of St. John's wort until the age specified by the manufacturer. From the age of five, it is allowed to add not a large number decoction of herbs in a bath for bathing. It allows you to remove the inflammatory manifestations on the skin of the child. In any case, when deciding on the use of St. John's wort for a child, it is best to first consult with a pediatrician.
Video about the properties of St. John's wort
St. John's wort (common) is a herbaceous plant of the St. John's wort family (lat. Hypericaceae).
The botanical name is Hypericum.
The generic name is St. John's wort.
Folk names - hare's blood, St.
St. John's wort is a grass, up to 80 cm high, with a branched thin rhizome and numerous adventitious roots. Stems erect, thin, dihedral, glabrous.
The leaves are opposite, small, oval or oblong, entire, with translucent glands in the form of black dots, sessile. The flowers are golden yellow with black dots, in dense corymbose inflorescences.
The fruit is a trihedral box, opening with three wings, with small seeds.
St. John's wort blooms in June - August. It grows in meadows, edges, in sparse deciduous and pine forests on sandy slopes, clearings, fallows, along roads in the southern half of the forest and in the forest-steppe zones of the Northern Hemisphere.
Several species of St. John's wort are found in Russia, of which the most common in European Russia are St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) and St. John's wort (Hypericum quadrangulum L.).
Both of these plants are perennial herbs with persistent rhizomes. The second type is distinguished by a tetrahedral stem. Both species are considered by the people to be medicinal, and preparations from these plants are used for many diseases.
St. John's wort herb collection
St. John's wort is harvested when it is in full bloom (on Midsummer Day - June 24). It is cut off near the ground, tied into bundles and dried in the air in a shaded place. For the manufacture of medicines, the entire ground part of the plant is used.
Composition, medicinal properties and use of St. John's wort
The medicinal properties of St. John's wort were noticed in ancient times. It is believed that the more understandable Russian word "St.
All parts of St. John's wort contain coloring matter, as well as (up to 1%) flavonoids. essential oil (more than 1%) and up to 13% tannins. There are organic acids, in particular isovaleric.
In addition, St. John's wort is rich in vitamins: ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, vitamins P and PP, as well as carotene. There is ceryl alcohol, choline and traces of alkaloids in the herb.
St. John's wort has a pronounced bactericidal effect.
Both in folk and scientific medicine, preparations from St. John's wort are used as astringents, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents that promote the rapid regeneration of damaged tissues.
St. John's wort preparations (infusions, decoctions) are taken orally for inflammatory diseases gastrointestinal tract. Used for rinsing with stomatitis, inflammation in the mouth and throat, as well as for lubricating the gums with inflammation.
St. John's wort preparations are widely used externally, especially for extensive and deep burns (I and II degrees), for the treatment of wounds and other various skin lesions:, abscesses, ulcers, mastitis, inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
Not so long ago medical scientists discovered another property of St. John's wort. As a result of clinical trials, the antidepressant effect of St. John's wort concentrate, its positive effect on the nervous system, was established.
A huge plus of this discovery was the absence of those contraindications and side effects that become constant companions of chemical antidepressants. The drug "Gelarium", based on St. John's wort concentrate, is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
Recipes for the use of St. John's wort in folk medicine
The water infusion of St. John's wort has a reddish color; it used to be thought that it was “well done” or “hare blood”. In one of the ancient herbalists we read:
St. John's wort - well done blood grass, its infusion is used in the form of lotions from bruises, abrasions, external abscesses and lesions.
In Russia, St. John's wort was so popular that the people called it (and not without reason) "The cure for 99 ailments." Especially favorite was St. John's wort tea - it was steamed and drunk for various ailments, and just as a pleasant drink. The people said:
Just as it is impossible to bake bread without flour, so many diseases cannot be cured without St. John's wort.
An infusion of St. John's wort was drunk for colds, pain in the heart, and as a general tonic.
Recipes for some decoctions and infusions from St. John's wort.
For rheumatism, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, diseases of the bladder, urinary incontinence in children, hemorrhoids, gout and tuberculosis, a decoction is prepared: take 10 g of grass, pour 1 glass of hot water, boil for 30 minutes over low heat, cool for 10 minutes, strain and squeeze.
The resulting decoction is taken ⅓ cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
For diseases of the liver and gallbladder take a mixture consisting of 10 g of St. John's wort, 15 g of flowers, 10 g of wheatgrass roots and 20 g of buckthorn bark. This mixture is poured into ½ liter of hot water, simmered for 10 minutes, insisted, filtered and taken 100 g 5 times a day.
For the preparation of decoctions and infusions, it is recommended to use, which, unlike tap water, is devoid of many harmful impurities.
Hypericum herb tincture prepared on 40% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5. Take it as an astringent and as an anti-inflammatory rinse for the gums and mouth (30-40 drops per ½ cup of water). Sometimes the tincture is also prescribed for internal use (40-50 drops each).
St. John's wort juice, stripped down by half, prepare an ointment in butter in a ratio of 1: 4, store in a cold place. Ointment is used for various skin lesions.
St. John's wort tea is a tonic and healthy drink. It's good to drink it winter time, this tea has no side effects and acts mainly on the nervous system. St. John's wort tea is drunk for colds, as it helps to restore weakened immunity, it is also useful for digestive disorders.
St. John's wort tea drink is an effective remedy for depressive states, fears and nervous anxiety, poor sleep.
Naturally, in order to achieve tangible results, it is necessary to use tea for several weeks in courses with obligatory breaks.
St. John's wort tea is also good after a bath, when blood circulation is improved and with it an intensive process of assimilation of useful and medicinal substances by the body takes place.
St. John's wort tea recipe is very simple: it is recommended to brew it in a porcelain teapot, it must be scalded with boiling water before use. To prepare tea, you need to take about 10 g of dried leaves and flowers of St. John's wort and pour 200 ml of boiling water over them, leave for a few minutes and the tea is ready. The drink is recommended to be consumed invariably fresh.
Also, St. John's wort in the form of tea is often combined with many herbs - for example, mint,, wild rose, chamomile, currant leaves, . Good honey will not only add a piquant flavor to this drink, but also enhance its benefits.
St. John's wort oil
To prepare the oil extract, take 20-25 g of fresh crushed leaves and flowers of St. through 2-3 layers of gauze. Store the product in a dark bottle.
St. John's wort oil is also used, cooked in olive (sunflower, linseed) oil and wine. Take 500 g of fresh flowers and leaves of St. John's wort, pour 1 liter of sunflower oil and 0.5 liter of dry white wine, mix everything well and infuse for 3 days. The wine is then evaporated.
The oil was used to treat long-term non-healing wounds, ulcers and bedsores by applying dressings. This remedy has also been used successfully in the treatment of gastric ulcers. For this, the oil extract was taken in 1 tbsp. spoon on an empty stomach or 3-4 hours after eating for 1-2 months.
St. John's wort oil is also used in dentistry for the treatment of stomatitis. By the way, it does not have an irritating property.
St. John's wort - video
Hypericum perforatum contraindications
St. John's wort can be both useful and have a number of contraindications. These contraindications must be taken into account when treating this plant. St. John's wort is considered slightly toxic, therefore, with prolonged use of the herb, an unpleasant sensation in the liver area and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth may develop.
Also, long-term use of decoctions, teas and infusions in your treatment can increase blood pressure and provoke narrowing of blood vessels. Therefore, people suffering from hypertension and vascular diseases need to reduce the dosage and duration of taking the herb.
This medicinal plant is not recommended for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. In breastfeeding mothers, milk can take on a bitter taste.
If you are taking antibiotics, it is best to stop taking St. John's wort. St. John's wort can negatively affect the optic nerve. And also, women who use contraceptives need to be aware that some of the components that make up St. John's wort can reduce the effects of drugs.
With prolonged use of the herb, St. John's wort can lead to constipation and decreased appetite.
There are several varieties of St. John's wort. However, only two of them have medicinal properties: St. John's wort and St. John's wort tetrahedral. The differences between them are minor.
The first is a perennial herbaceous shrub. Its height reaches 1 meter. The grass has yellow flowers with black specks and whole-edged oval leaves, located one opposite the other. There are usually several stems. They have a tetrahedral shape. After flowering, the fruit ripens in the form of a box, which, after ripening, bursts in several places and scatters the seeds.
List of useful substances
The high value as a medicinal raw material is due to the content in the herb of St. John's wort of a mass of useful elements:
- phytoncides provide antimicrobial action;
- tannins have an astringent, anti-inflammatory effect;
- vitamins C, E, P contribute to the proper functioning of internal organs and systems;
- provitamin A (carotene) improves the functioning of the organs of vision, protects against viruses;
- nicotinic acid (vitamin PP) is good for the heart;
- isovaleric acid provides a sedative effect;
- flavonoids have antispasmodic properties;
- thanks to numerous essential oils, St. John's wort is valued in cosmetology;
- trace elements (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium) provide a normal balance of substances in the body;
- macronutrients (molybdenum, chromium, aluminum, cobalt, selenium, nickel and others) are necessary for the normal functioning of the body;
- azulene has a positive effect on the skin: moisturizes, accelerates cell regeneration;
- hypericin has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system.
In medicine, not only grass leaves and young shoots of St. John's wort are used, but also its roots. They contain resins, essential oils, quercetin and other essential substances.
The influence of St. John's wort (medicinal herb) on the body, its medicinal, beneficial properties
Proper, regular use of St. John's wort has a unique effect on almost everything. internal organs and systems of the human body.
The components of the herb have the following medicinal actions:
- anti-inflammatory;
- bactericidal;
- antispasmodic;
- hemostatic and wound healing;
- choleretic;
- diuretic;
- antihelminthic;
- regenerating;
- astringent;
- improves metabolism;
- antiulcer;
- antidepressant.
For elimination bad breath enough to chew on a sprig of St. John's wort. The components in its composition slow down the formation blood clots and sclerotic plaques. Vitamin complex eliminates fragility capillaries, prevents the appearance tumors.
Dosage forms of folk remedies based on St. John's wort
For folk recipes all the aerial part of St. John's wort is used, as well as its roots. Collect grass during the flowering period, around the end of June. In Russia, raw materials were harvested on Midsummer Day (June 24). Medicinal herbs are cut close to the root, collected in bunches and hung in a non-solar place to dry.
In summer, freshly picked shoots are used mainly. You can even squeeze juice out of them. The rest of the time, St. John's wort can be used in the following dosage forms:
- Infusion. To prepare it, 15 g of dry St. John's wort is poured into 1 tbsp. boiling water. Heat for about 20 minutes in a water bath, without bringing to a boil. Next, the drug is filtered, cooled. St. John's wort is taken orally, used for gargling.
- Tea. Black tea and dried St. John's wort are taken in a ratio of 3: 1, brewed with boiling water. After 5 minutes, the drink is ready. The amount of water is taken at the rate of 1 tbsp. a spoonful of raw materials per liter of boiling water. To make it tastier, add jam, honey.
- Tincture. half three-liter jar filled with dry grass, topped with vodka and closed. A month later, the tincture is ready. Usually it is used for external use: rubbing, dressings, etc.
- Oil. For its preparation, you need good quality vegetable oil, preferably cold pressed. Dry raw materials are filled with oil in such a way that it is completely hidden, usually it is placed under oppression. After a couple of months, the finished product is filtered and poured into containers. You need to store it in a dark cool place. Both external and internal use is possible.
- Ointment. At home, it is prepared on the basis of petroleum jelly (fatty cream). Dried St. John's wort powder or its liquid extract is added to it.
The use of St. John's wort in the treatment and prevention of various diseases
In Russia, it was believed that not a single ailment could be cured without this herb. Infusions of the plant were drunk for treatment, prevention, and even just for pleasure. Many recipes have come down to us that helped our ancestors maintain health.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
St. John's wort has the most beneficial effect on the work of the digestive tract. To prevent disruption at work digestive system, it is used in any dosage forms. The components of the herb contribute to the following processes:
At gastritis with pain syndrome, a collection of St. John's wort, meadowsweet and nettle leaves is used. For 1 st. boiling water put 1 tbsp. l. raw materials. Let the drink brew for about an hour. Take the drug before meals for 1/2 tbsp. 5 times a day.
At heartburn another infusion will help. Take 1 tbsp. l. St. John's wort, yarrow and cudwort per liter of boiling water. The drink is ready to drink after 2 hours of infusion under the lid. To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, drink the drink during the day, a couple of sips at a time.
At ulcer St. John's wort oil will help the stomach and duodenum. The scheme of reception is appointed at the internal consultation of a specialist.
Functional disorders of the gallbladder and liver
If diagnosed cholecystitis or cholelithiasis, prepare the usual St. John's wort infusion and drink 1 tbsp. l. after meal.
Also highly effective oil based on this herb rich in flavonoids. It improves performance liver in general, prevents the formation of stones. For 3 st. l. St. John's wort, take 300 ml of vegetable oil (preferably olive or mustard) and 0.5 tbsp. red dry wine. Infuse for about 7 days in a place protected from the sun. Stir at least once a day. Then boil for 45 minutes. Let the product stand for another month. Next, strain through a funnel with a gauze pad. The recommended regimen is once a day for a teaspoon a quarter of an hour after a meal.
There is another recipe: take St. John's wort (10 g), wheatgrass roots (10 g), sandy immortelle flowers (15 g) and buckthorn bark (20 g). Pour in 500 ml of boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes over low heat. Strained infusion take 1/2 tbsp. 5 times a day.
Restoring the health of the genitourinary system
If you're worried thrush, prepare a decoction of 4 tbsp. l. herbs and 2 liters of water. Mix the ingredients and boil for 20 minutes. Cool down. Filter. Use as a douche before bed.
At enuresis St. John's wort tea is effective. Brew 40 g of dry raw materials in a liter of boiling water. Wrap up the drink. Let it brew for about 3 hours. Dosage and regimen is arbitrary. It is recommended to simply drink instead of regular tea.
To cure pyelonephritis, make the following collection: St. John's wort, horsetail, tricolor violet and motherwort. For 2 st. l. mixture, take half a liter of boiling water. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Time to insist. Take 2/3 tbsp. three times a day.
For treatment cystitis use a different collection: St. John's wort, mountaineer, oregano and chamomile mix in equal proportions. For a liter of boiling water, put 4 tbsp. l. collection. Insist for 12 hours. You need to drink it an hour after eating 1/2 tbsp.
St. John's wort oil will help cure cervical erosion. Apply it on a cotton swab, insert it deep into the vagina. After 8-10 hours, replace the swab with a new one. Before treatment, it is strongly recommended to visit a specialist doctor.
Cardiovascular disorders
At arrhythmias This recipe will help: mix St. John's wort with lemon balm, yarrow and valerian root in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. One teaspoon of the collection pour 1 tbsp. steep boil. Insist for 2 hours. Strained infusion take once a day for 1/2 tbsp.
Treatment of respiratory diseases
At dry cough St. John's wort oil compress before going to bed is very effective. Apply it to a clean cloth (gauze). Apply to throat. Wrap your neck well. Leave for 6-8 hours.
For prevention adenoids prepare such St. John's wort ointment. Mix dry St. John's wort powder with unsalted butter in a ratio of 1:4. Pour celandine juice at the rate of 5 drops per teaspoon of the mixture. Pour into a bottle. Shake until an emulsion is formed. Use for instillation. The recommended regimen is 2 drops in each nasal passage 3 times a day.
It is also useful to wash the nasopharynx with a warm infusion prepared from such a collection: St. John's wort, chamomile, mint and eucalyptus leaves in equal proportions.
deal with sore throat without antibiotics, 30% St. John's wort and calendula tincture will help. Take 5-6 drops of the product, after diluting it in a tablespoon of water. Frequency of administration - 5 times a day before eating.
Diseases of the oral cavity
In successful treatment stomatitis of any genesis, the regular use of homemade St. John's wort tincture on medical alcohol will help. Pour 30-40 drops of the substance into 100 ml of cooled to room temperature boiled water. Rinse your mouth after every meal and before bed.
periodontal disease treated with this tincture. Freeze 25 g of propolis in the freezer. Grind with a hammer. Pour 1/2 tbsp. 70% alcohol. Stir until partially dissolved. Pour in the same 50 g of powdered leaves of St. John's wort. Insist 14 days in a place protected from sunlight. Then the tincture is filtered and used for rinsing: 20-30 drops per 100 ml of water 5 times a day.
Treatment of neurosis and depression
deal with depression a medical collection of medicinal St. John's wort, lemon balm, blueberries (berries) and rosemary (leaves) will help. Mix all components in equal parts. From one tablespoon of this mixture and 1 tbsp. hot boiled water prepare tea. Drink it instead of regular drinks.
Skin lesions and diseases
At burns St. John's wort oil has powerful healing, healing properties. To make the effect even stronger, it is recommended to beat 30 ml of the product with raw chicken protein.
Skin diseases are effectively treated with St. baths. To prepare them, pour 200 g of raw materials with two liters of water. Boil 10 minutes. Add the resulting broth to bathing water at a temperature of 40C. Take baths for half an hour every other day. For a positive effect, it is necessary to carry out at least 20 procedures. Such baths also alleviate the condition of hemorrhoids.
For healing trophic ulcers , bedsores, symptomatic treatment of malignant neoplasms on the skin, deep cracks in the palms and heels make lotions based on St. John's wort oil. Soak a gauze napkin with the substance, securely fix it on the affected area. Such procedures have a therapeutic, disinfecting and healing effect, improve blood circulation in the affected area.
Help in the treatment of alcoholism
If a person consciously wants to get rid of addiction to alcohol, a strong decoction of St. John's wort can help. For 2 st. boiling water, take 4 tbsp. l. dry grass. Warm in a water bath for 30 minutes. Dosage: 2 tbsp. l. before breakfast and dinner, the course is 2 weeks.
Tuberculosis
For 1 st. l. dry grass, take elecampane roots (3 tablespoons), half a liter of water, olive oil (1 tablespoon) and linden honey (2 tablespoons). Prepare a medicinal decoction from herbs and boiling water. Honey bring to a liquid state in a water bath. Stir in hot oil. Pour the honey-oil mass into the cooled and strained broth. Stir. Place in refrigerator for 15 days. How to take: 1 tsp. 4 times a day half an hour before meals for a two-week course.
List of contraindications to medical procedures using St. John's wort
Despite the fact that St. John's wort is a panacea for many diseases, there are cases when its use is contraindicated:
- If the grass is collected along a road or in a polluted area, it may contain dangerous amounts of cadmium. It is best to collect raw materials in the forest, away from civilization.
- With prolonged use of St. John's wort, impotence in men may occur, which should disappear after stopping the intake.
- Also, with prolonged use, discomfort in the liver, constipation, loss of appetite, vasoconstriction may develop.
- People with increased sensitivity to solar activity should be wary of taking therapeutic St. John's wort, because it enhances this susceptibility, you can get a sunstroke.
Unreasonable treatment at home leads to undesirable consequences and deterioration of the human condition. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations!
The amazing world of field plants is an invaluable treasure for man. Particularly impressive medicinal properties John's wort, which are actively used in the fight against ailments. Since time immemorial, various decoctions, tinctures, and oils have been prepared from grass. She was shrouded in superstition. It was believed that evil spirits afraid of fiery flowers. Therefore, mattresses filled with dry grass were made for babies. Although today only a few people believe such fables, the healing properties of St. John's wort are still worthy of attention. What does this cute plant look like? Where is it found in nature? How to properly prepare raw materials? What diseases does it treat, how to prepare and take a medicinal drug? Are there contraindications? Let us consider in detail all these questions in order to appreciate the humble wildflower.
Features of the bright outfit of the plant
Found in the natural environment different kinds Hypericum. This name is given to small trees and undersized shrubs. However, only two types of plants differ in useful properties: perforated and ordinary St. John's wort. There are minor differences between them that do not affect the range of applications in traditional medicine.
The medicinal plant is found in open forest edges and spacious meadows. It grows up to 70 cm in height (there are also meter specimens). Perennial semi-shrub has several cylindrical shoots with longitudinal ribs. In the upper part, each of them branches into several stems, decorated with bright inflorescences. The leaf plates of the plant are oblong or in the form of an ellipse. They reach 3 cm in length. The width of the sheet, as a rule, is 2 times less (1.5 cm). Veins are visible all over the surface of the plate, which gives it a truly “glamorous” look.
The botanical description of St. John's wort also includes bright golden buds. They are gracefully collected in inflorescences located on the top of the plant. Flowers consist of five delicate petals, stamens and pistils. Bud diameter is approximately 3 cm.
Harvest medicinal herbs during the flowering period. This is best done in dry weather. Using a sickle or pruner, cut off the upper part of the plant, about 30 cm long.
Raw materials are laid out in a well-ventilated area, where direct sunlight does not fall. The maximum temperature should be between 40-50°C.
Cut shoots of St. John's wort are periodically turned over. As a result, they dry well. When the shoots begin to break easily, and the foliage crumbles, the raw material is ready. Store dried grass in cardboard boxes or glass containers at temperatures up to 25°C. The maximum term of use - no more than 3 years.
A valuable set of elements and benefits for the body
The medicinal properties of St. John's wort determine the substances that make up its composition.
Scientific studies have shown that the herb contains great amount valuable components necessary for human health:
- nicotinic and ascorbic acids (vitamin C);
- quercetin and rutin (flavonoid compounds);
- carotene (vitamin A);
- saponins;
- hypericin;
- phytoncides (natural antibiotics);
- essential oils;
- tocopherol (vitamin E).
Healing chemical compounds are actively used to treat various ailments. They act as an analgesic, antibacterial and antiseptic agent. Herbal tinctures are used for the stomach, wound healing, stimulation of the gallbladder.
Since ancient times, drugs prepared on the basis of St. John's wort have been used to treat:
- colds;
- headache;
- heart problems;
- stomach;
- liver;
- Bladder;
- hemorrhoids;
- female diseases;
- rheumatism.
Modern research has shown that the elements contained in St. John's wort have a positive effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, it is often prescribed for emotional disorders and even depression.
Due to the abundance of tannins, medicinal herbs are used to relieve inflammation and accelerate wound healing.
The healing properties of St. John's wort and classical medicine
Often, doctors call St. John's wort "drug from 99 diseases." They actively use medicinal preparations based on herbs, as well as dried raw materials.
A tincture from the plant is prescribed for various inflammations in the oral cavity:
- angina;
- pharyngitis;
- stomatitis;
- inflammation of the gums.
Homemade decoctions stimulate the intestines, stomach and biliary tract. In gynecology, they help get rid of inflammatory processes. And in psychiatry, insomnia and increased anxiety are treated with tinctures. 
The effectiveness of raw materials is due to the presence of beta-carotene, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
The well-known drug "Novoimanin" was created on the basis of components obtained from the extract of St. John's wort. It is prescribed for serious diseases:
- phlegmon;
- abscess;
- inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa;
- infected wounds;
- sinusitis;
- burns.
The drug is highly effective in the fight against microbes. It successfully suppresses the reproduction of Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant to penicillin. The essential oils that make up the plant normalize bowel function.
Traditional preparations based on St. John's wort are produced in the form of tinctures, tablets and dry herbs. The most popular of them are: "Gelarium", "Deprim", "Life 900", "St. John's wort extract". All of them are prescribed by the attending physician and taken under his supervision.
These medications help women fight premenstrual syndrome. Regulate mood, frequency of hot flashes and headaches during menopause. St. John's wort is an effective drug for middle-aged men. The drugs stimulate sexual desire during times of physical and emotional fatigue. Medicines based on St. John's wort treat drug and alcohol addiction.
The combination of drugs is determined by the attending physician. Without such consultation, the use of substances is strictly prohibited.
"Magic" grass and folk healers
A positive effect in the treatment of various diseases is achieved only with a correctly established diagnosis. Therefore, herbalists warn of possible complications caused by improper use of herbal tinctures and decoctions.
With the help of dried raw materials, traditional healers treat:
- cholelithiasis;
- hepatitis;
- gastritis;
- arthritis;
- pain in the joints;
- cardiopalmus;
- sinusitis;
- heartburn;
- depression
- burns;
- skin diseases.
As medicinal potions are tinctures, decoctions, oils, hot teas. Often, additional herbal ingredients are used. Thanks to this, the “drug” acts much faster, because it contains an abundance of valuable compounds.
For the preparation of medicinal solutions, you can use the herb purchased at the pharmacy.
Do-it-yourself medicine
Any drug is easily prepared at home, focusing on proven recipes. St. John's wort is mainly used as an external treatment. Inflorescences and foliage are finely chopped. Pour in a small amount of boiling water. Insist 15 minutes. Used as a lotion for healing open wounds, bruises and external ulcers. The drug helps to neutralize allergies after being bitten by mosquitoes and other poisonous insects. To relieve pain in the spine, a natural liquid is added to the drug.
A healing decoction for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract is prepared in the usual way:
- crushed dry grass is poured with hot water;
- insist in a dark place for about 4 hours;
- filter through gauze.
The finished drink is taken in the treatment of gastritis 3 times a day after meals. The same dose is effective for cholelithiasis, hypertension, cystitis and headache.
To combat a cold, a hot medicinal decoction is made from dry grass:
- put 1 tablespoon of St. John's wort flowers in a cup;
- pour boiling water;
- insist 20 minutes;
- raw materials are pressed;
- add lemon juice;
- a teaspoon of honey.
Warm up in the microwave before each use. Drink 0.5 cups in the evenings. Then they lie down in bed, wrap themselves up and try to sleep. The disease recedes after several regular doses in combination with antiviral drugs.
If you additionally add the juice of a small onion to the tincture, you get a mixture of “lethal” strength.
And how to brew medicinal tea to strengthen immunity? For business take a porcelain teapot. Pour dry chopped herb St. John's wort. Pour in boiling water. After 5 minutes, lime blossom, strawberries, May honey are added. Usually the drink is not diluted with water, but drunk in its natural form.
The healing properties of St. John's wort in tinctures and oil
An effective remedy for many problems is St. John's wort tincture with alcohol or vodka. Pour 2 tablespoons of dry chopped grass into a glass container. Fill with alcohol (200 g). Insist 3 days in a dark cool place.
The drug is convenient to take in field conditions, because it retains its healing properties for a long time. The tincture helps with a sudden sore throat, and also as a compress for bruises and muscle damage.
The original drug for external use is St. John's wort inflorescence oil. Get it simple way. The dried buds of the plant are poured into a jar and poured with any vegetable oil (sunflower, olive or linseed). A small oppression is placed on top so that mold does not form on the grass. Components are taken at the rate of 1:1.5. Insist oil for a month. The finished product is bottled. Store in a dark cool place. Use both externally and internally.
St. John's wort oil is used to strengthen the gums by applying therapeutic applications.
In a similar way, they make a life-giving ointment. Instead of oil, they take animal fat, baby cream or petroleum jelly. St. John's wort extract is combined with a thick component. Mix well. Spread out in a jar. Stored in the refrigerator. Used for sprains, bruises and wound healing.
Beauty "does not require" sacrifice
Cosmetologists pay special attention to St. John's wort. Its healing effect was noticed even by our ancestors. Decoctions of the plant rinsed hair, washed, soared legs. Oil treated abscesses and fought with acne. Modern cosmetologists, continuing the ancient tradition, actively use the plant in their business.
Velvet skin "for centuries"
Daily facial care does not require much effort if it is a long-standing habit. A rich decoction of St. John's wort inflorescences will help remove greasy shine. Grass is poured into a pot. Pour in hot water. Cook on low heat for 10 minutes. When the product has cooled, strain into a glass container. Using a cotton pad, wipe the skin of the face. Allow to dry and then wash with cold water.
Dandruff and baldness - not a problem
Hair loss is a serious problem for both men and women. The question is solved by the usual decoction of St. John's wort. It is recommended to take it 15 minutes before the start of the meal in the morning and evening. The maximum dose of the drink is 3 tablespoons.
If dandruff appears on the scalp, a tincture of medicinal herbs will help get rid of it. It is brewed in the usual way, but insisted for 4 hours. Every time after washing the hair, the liquid is used for rinsing.
The healing properties of St. John's wort for the treatment of acne, ulcers and cracks
Young people are often embarrassed about their appearance because their face is affected by acne. Cosmetologists advise preparing a classic decoction of St. John's wort and using it daily for washing. Take a tablespoon of herbs. Pour in a glass of boiling water. Insist 25 minutes. After applying to the affected skin, wait until it dries. Wash off after 2 hours. The procedure is effectively done before bedtime.
With the help of this solution, purulent formations are treated. Wash the wound thoroughly with a cotton pad several times a day until complete healing.
If cracks appear on the heels, a therapeutic bath is prepared. It will take 8 tablespoons of herbs, 1 liter of boiling water. The solution is boiled for 5 minutes on low heat. The drug is poured into the basin. When it cools down a bit, lower your legs. Steam for about 15 minutes 2 times a week.
Dangerous signals
Despite the beneficial effect that St. John's wort has on the body, problems sometimes arise.
Prolonged use of decoctions, tinctures and oils leads to discomfort:
- bitterness in the mouth;
- aching pain in the liver;
- increased blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- nausea.
Serious problems arise in women who take contraceptives. The components contained in the plant weaken the effect of contraception. Therefore, there is a risk of unwanted pregnancy.
In men, after prolonged treatment with St. John's wort, there is a decrease in potency. It is not advisable for older people who take sedative pills to drink medicinal decoctions. The combination of components leads to dizziness and insomnia.
Despite contraindications, medicinal drugs bring great benefits to the body. The main thing is to take them under the supervision of a doctor. Stick to prescribed doses and regularity. In any case, health is in our hands.
Rules for the collection and storage of St. John's wort - video
One of the most effective plants in therapeutic practice is St. John's wort, or ordinary. This medicinal herb grows up to 30-70 cm, blooms in June-August with small yellow flowers. The most favorable habitats are light forest glades and dry meadows. For medicinal purposes, leafy tops of the plant with inflorescences are used. It is best to collect them from the very beginning of flowering, since during this period the content of useful substances is maximum.
In nature, there are several types of herbs called St. John's wort. There are shrubs with this name, and even small trees. St. John's wort (perforated) and St. John's wort tetrahedral are used in folk medicine. They differ both externally and in healing properties very slightly.
In the Middle Ages, there was a belief that St. John's wort is able to protect against evil spirits, ghosts and witches. He was put to the child in the crib or hung from the cradle. It was believed that this way the baby would have good dreams, and devilry doesn't scare him.
On the fresh grass of St. John's wort, girls wondered about love: they crushed the stems in their hands, if the juice was red, then the feeling was mutual, if it was colorless, then the chosen one was indifferent.
St. John's wort was taken with them on the road, it was believed that it would protect against the attack of wild animals and robbers.
There are many legends about the origin of St. John's wort. So, among the Christian peoples, its appearance is associated with the death of John the Baptist. When his head was cut off, St. John's wort grew in place of drops of blood that had fallen to the ground. Therefore, according to the Slavic tradition, this plant is called "Ivan's blood."
The composition and useful properties of St. John's wort
St. John's wort has many useful substances, due to which it has healing properties. The plant contains flavone compounds (rutin, quercetin, etc.), ascorbic and nicotinic acids, saponins, sugars, carotene, tocopherol, hypericin, cetyl alcohol, choline, hyperoside, phytoncides, essential oil, tannins, resinous and bitter substances. Healing components make it possible to use this medicinal plant quite widely. It is used as an antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, wound healing, antirheumatic, diuretic, choleretic, astringent, antihelminthic, and also as a regenerating drug.
Since ancient times, infusions of St. John's wort, prepared in water, have been used to treat colds, stomach, bladder, bedwetting, and inflammation of the female genital organs.
And only recently, medical scientists discovered another useful property Hypericum. Clinical studies have shown that the plant has a positive effect on the nervous system and has an antidepressant effect. This makes St. John's wort even more valuable, since it has almost no contraindications and does not cause side effects, unlike sedative drugs of chemical origin.
Consider the composition of St. John's wort in more detail:
Tocopherol is vitamin E, which is necessary to protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals;
Carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. It is necessary for the proper functioning of the eyes, the renewal of skin cells, and the fight against viruses and bacteria;
Tannins help cleanse wounds from infection, relieve inflammation, accelerate healing;
Nicotinic acid is essential for the proper functioning of the heart and nervous system;
Vitamin C increases immunity, promotes the restoration and renewal of cartilage, ligaments, maintains skin turgor, and prevents the degeneration of normal cells into cancer cells;
Hypericin and hyperforin are special substances that have an antidepressant effect;
Hyperoside and rutin strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
Phytoncides are plant "antibiotics" that have a powerful antimicrobial effect.
A similar combination of biologically active substances in the composition medicinal plant allows it to be used in the treatment of many diseases.
St. John's wort in cosmetology
St. John's wort is successfully used for:
Increased oily skin;
Withering and wrinkles;
Baldness and dandruff;
Pustular skin diseases;
Cracked heels.
Acne
With abundant acne on the skin of the face, daily evening washings with infusion of St. John's wort are recommended. To do this, you need to take 1 tablespoon of chopped dried herbs, pour 1 cup of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. You need to wash yourself with infusion every night before going to bed, do not get wet with a towel, do not rinse, let it dry on the skin.
Increased oiliness of the skin
If a greasy sheen quickly appears on the skin, a strong decoction of St. John's wort will help you. Two tablespoons of dried grass should be poured with one glass of boiling water, put on a slow fire and cook for 10 minutes. After cooling, strain and wipe the face with a cotton pad, let dry, rinse cool water.
You can make a mask from steamed St. John's wort. To do this, pour two tablespoons of raw materials with four tablespoons of boiling water, stir, let it brew. The resulting slurry is applied to a cleanly washed face, avoiding the area around the eyes. Keep the mask on for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Do no more than twice a week.
Withering and wrinkles
Ice rubbing and lotion based on St. John's wort will help restore skin tone. For ice rubbing, it is necessary to prepare a decoction of St. John's wort (see the recipe above), cool, strain and freeze, pouring into special molds for ice. Every morning after washing, it is recommended to wipe the face and décolleté area with a piece of ice.
To make a lotion, you need to mix 1 cup of St. John's wort (see recipe above) and mix with 1 tablespoon of vodka. Wipe the face and décolleté after washing in the evening before going to bed.
Baldness and dandruff
With baldness, one third of a glass of St. John's wort should be taken orally 10 minutes before meals 2 times a day. To get rid of dandruff, it is necessary to rinse the hair after washing with St. John's wort, prepared according to the above recipe.
Pustular skin diseases
In case of pustular diseases, the skin is wiped with a decoction of St. John's wort. To prevent the spread of infection to healthy areas, washing is carried out with a cotton pad. The disk should be moistened in a decoction, slightly squeezed, with wetting movements, treat the skin in an area with a radius of not more than 3 cm, discard the used disk, take a clean one. Repeat the entire procedure on the next skin area.
Cracked heels
To alleviate the condition, foot baths are shown. To do this, prepare 2 liters of decoction at the rate of 4 tablespoons of chopped herbs per 0.5 liters of boiling water, cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Pour into a small basin, cool to a temperature of 45 ° C (hot, but tolerable), lower your legs and hold until the broth cools.
The use of St. John's wort in medicine
The active substances in which St. John's wort is rich made it "a herb for 99 ailments."
classical medicine
In official medical practice, they use both dried raw materials - St. John's wort, and medicines made on its basis.
The plant is used in the following conditions:
Depression, insomnia, increased anxiety.
The effectiveness of this medicinal herb in inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity is due to the content of a large amount of tannins, phytoncides and beta-carotene.
Based on the extract of St. John's wort, the preparation Novoimanin was made. It is indicated for purulent skin diseases - infected wounds, inflammation of the pharynx, sinusitis. Its effectiveness is so high that it is able to suppress the growth of even golden, which is resistant to penicillin preparations.
The choleretic effect and the ability to normalize intestinal motility in case of diarrhea is associated with the content of essential oil in the plant.
The ability of St. John's wort to eliminate manifestations is well known. Numerous studies have shown that patients with mild depressive states The effectiveness of preparations based on St. John's wort is even higher than that of classical antidepressants. In addition, the herbal preparation does not cause drowsiness, lethargy, does not affect the ability to drive a car, does not reduce the reaction rate. St. John's wort-based antidepressants improve mood, relieve anxiety, and cause a surge of vitality. The official St. John's wort medicines for depression, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness are the German drug Gelarium Hypericum and the Russian herbal remedy Negrustin, both sold without a prescription.
ethnoscience
Warning! The treatment of any disease will be effective only if the exact diagnosis is known, the existing complications and contraindications are taken into account. In complex advanced cases, receptions traditional medicine should be combined with classical methods treatment of a disease.
Cardiopalmus;
Gallstone disease, inflammation of the gallbladder, hepatitis, including viral;
skin infections, burns;
mental illness, including depression;
Before starting therapy with any medicinal herbs, you should consult your doctor. This will help to avoid fatal mistakes, the price of which is life and health.
Most often, St. John's wort is used in the form:
-
Water infusion;
Alcohol tincture;
Healing tea.
All of them can be made at home.
Herbal preparations are very popular, which, in addition to St. John's wort, include other medicinal plants. Fees act more efficiently and faster due to the summation of useful properties.
As a raw material for the preparation of dosage forms of St. John's wort, dried herb purchased at a pharmacy can be used. It is sold in bulk in cardboard boxes or in the form of filter bags. It is best to use grass in bulk.
If desired, you can prepare St. John's wort yourself, if it is possible to collect the plant away from major roads, factories, factories, railways.
St. John's wort should be collected during its flowering. Plants are cut with a knife close to the ground. Dried upside down, tied in bunches. When drying, direct exposure to sunlight should be avoided, it is better if it is a shaded place (canopy, attic).
St. John's wort treatment: the best recipes
It is very important to remember that this medicinal plant can seriously harm, and to understand this, it is enough to carefully read the name. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is best to consult a doctor. As a rule, fresh grass is used as an external agent. To do this, crush the leaves and inflorescences, which promote the healing of wounds, ulcers and, and are used as lotions to sore spots - for example, with rashes, and also after insects. You can add a little honey and use the plant as a bandage to treat joints or lower back.
Quite rarely, freshly squeezed juice from St. John's wort is used. Since it is difficult to get the right amount of juice, infusions, tinctures, decoctions, ointments and oils are more often prepared.
Hypericum infusion: to prepare the infusion, you need to take 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs or 1 tablespoon of dry, and pour 200 ml of boiling water over it. Infuse for 3-4 hours in a dark place, after which the remedy can be consumed 15 ml 3 times a day before meals to get rid of gastritis, normalize the acidity of gastric juice, with cholelithiasis, headache, to improve venous circulation, increase, etc. e. For colds or infections of the oral cavity, a rinse from the infusion of St. John's wort is used. For the treatment of inflammation on the skin, lotions or compresses are prepared with the same remedy. The infusion is used to treat skin diseases in children, adding it to the bath when bathing.
Decoction of St. John's wort: it is used in much the same way as the infusion. To prepare a decoction, you need an enamel pan or heat-resistant glassware. Take 1.5 tablespoons of grass and pour it with a glass of hot water. After that, the container with the brewed grass is 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, rubbing the skin, rinsing the hair, inside - for intestinal infections,.
Hypericum tincture: St. John's wort is insisted on vodka or alcohol in a ratio of 1:7 or 1:10, left in a dark place for three days or more. Use the drug should be mixed with water: one teaspoon per 50 ml of water. This medicine is also used for rinsing the mouth and for inhalation. Alcohol tincture is very effective as a warming compress for muscle or joint pain.
For outdoor use prepare an ointment or oil. Such a remedy promotes the healing of wounds, ulcers, bruises, sprains, etc. An ointment is prepared by mixing animal fat, petroleum jelly or a fat baby cream with evaporated extract of St. John's wort or dry grass powder.
St. John's wort oil: this can be prepared as follows: 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 oil compresses to treat ulcers, burns or wounds.
To prepare the medicine, you can also take ordinary vegetable oil, add dried herb and infuse for 5 days (in a ratio of 1: 1.5). If the healing oil is prepared on the basis of fresh herbs, then the proportions are 1: 1. In the villages of Siberia, such oil is widely used to treat gums and oral mucosa (in case of stomatitis or).
St. John's wort tea. It is prepared in the same way as a hot infusion. 1 teaspoon of St. John's wort is poured into the teapot and 1 cup of boiling water is poured. Linden blossom, a spoonful of honey or a handful of strawberries can be added to tea. Tea is used not as a remedy, but as a prophylactic for strengthening.
There are many traditional medicine recipes based on St. John's wort. Here are the best ones.
Treatment of the stomach with St. John's wort
If gastritis is accompanied by severe pain, then it is possible to use herbal collection. To prepare the infusion, you will need one part of meadowsweet herb, nettle and St. John's wort. Herbs need to be folded into a dry jar, mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Then take 1 tablespoon of the resulting mixture, pour into a teapot and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Insist 1 hour. Drink half a glass 5 times a day before meals.
If heartburn worries along with gastritis, then collecting plants will help: 1 tablespoon of St. John's wort,. Add all ingredients to 1 liter of water. Let it brew for 2 hours, take half a glass half an hour before meals or when an attack of heartburn begins.
Treatment of vitiligo with St. John's wort
Vitiligo is a disease in which, for unknown reasons, in certain areas the skin loses its pigment - melanin, in this place white spots of a rounded shape appear. In severe cases, they slowly grow, merging with each other and capturing more and more areas of the body. Vitiligo most often affects open areas of the skin: face, neck, décolleté, hands. The spots do not hurt or itch.
For a long time, St. John's wort has been used to treat vitiligo. In the fight against this disease, an infusion of herbs and ointment were used:
Infusion for the treatment of vitiligo. To prepare the infusion, you need to take 1 teaspoon of dried St. Take 1 tablespoon in the morning, afternoon, evening before bedtime for 3 weeks. After an 8-day break, repeat the course of treatment. Do this until the total number of courses is 8;
Ointment for the treatment of vitiligo. Collect fresh St. John's wort flowers, tamp well into a glass jar "up to the shoulders". Pour in cold-pressed vegetable oil, olive oil is best, as much as it takes. Expose in the sun for 2 weeks. Collect fresh St. John's wort flowers again, pack tightly into a jar, pour over the squeezed oil from the first portion. Insist 2 weeks. Collect the flowers again in a jar and pour over the squeezed oil from the second portion. Do this 5 times. By the end, the vegetable oil will turn into a thick, viscous liquid resembling a cream. Lubricate them with vitiligo spots once a day, leave until completely absorbed. Wash off the residue after 30 minutes with warm water.
Treatment of sinusitis with St. John's wort
For the treatment of sinusitis with St. John's wort, you will need a decoction of this herb (see the recipe above). Before washing, drip vasoconstrictor drops into the nose to relieve swelling and give access to healing water to the sinuses.
Rinse the nasal cavity with warm decoction of St. John's wort 3 times a day. After the procedure, it is good to blow your nose with both nostrils at once. The course of treatment is 7 days. Irrigation can be done with a syringe without a needle. Tilt your head over the sink, draw a decoction into the syringe and inject it into the nostril. Spit out the secreting liquid.
Treatment of the liver with St. John's wort
With congestion in the gallbladder, it is necessary to stimulate the secretion of bile. An infusion of St. John's wort will cope well with this task (see the recipe above). In the morning after waking up, drink 0.5 cups of infusion on an empty stomach. Have breakfast in half an hour. During the day, take 2 tbsp. l. after each meal, but not more than 5 times a day. The duration of treatment is 7 days.
Treatment of gastritis with St. John's wort
The infusion of the plant helps with exacerbation of gastritis. To prepare the infusion, you will need 1 tablespoon or 1 filter bag of St. John's wort herb, brew them in glassware 1 cup boiling water. Leave to infuse for about 1 hour. Drink 15 ml (1 tablespoon) before each meal.
Treatment of alcoholism with St. John's wort
To evoke a feeling of disgust for alcohol, a strong decoction is prepared with the help of St. John's wort. Pour four tablespoons of chopped dry grass with 2 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for half an hour. Cool down. Drink 2 tablespoons in the morning and evening before meals. Reception must be conscious, that is, there will be no effect if you add a decoction to food without the knowledge of the patient. The course of treatment is 14 days.
St. John's wort treatment for depression
Since those components of the medicinal plant that have an antidepressant effect are poorly soluble in water, the most 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 posted above. To get rid of depression, take 10-12 drops of tincture 3 times a day before meals. The duration of treatment is 1 month.
St. John's wort refers to slightly toxic plants. If this herb is used for a long time, unpleasant sensations may appear in the liver area, sometimes a feeling of bitterness in the mouth.
Main 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 in direct sunlight for a long time;
The plant causes an increase in blood pressure, so patients with hypertension should consult a doctor before starting treatment with this herb;
Women who take birth control pills, it should be remembered that St. John's wort reduces their contraceptive effect, so an unwanted pregnancy is possible;
Prolonged use of this medicinal plant can cause a weakening of potency in men, which disappears after the drug is discontinued;
Drinking decoctions and infusions of St. John's wort for more than 1 month in a row can cause an increase in the liver;
In patients with mental illness, this herb can cause an exacerbation of manic syndrome. The same effect can occur while taking St. John's wort with other antidepressants. Patients may begin hallucinations, confusion, in severe cases, coma may occur;
St. John's wort should not be taken simultaneously with antibiotics, as it contributes to a more rapid removal of the drug from the body, as a result of which the effect of antimicrobial therapy is reduced;
Another important note: St. John's wort is able to halve the blood content of a very important drug called Indinavir. Given this circumstance, people with AIDS should not use St. John's wort. In addition, the plant significantly reduces the effect of anticoagulants and heart drugs, so it is better not to use it together with these drugs;
Older people using modern antidepressants, St. John's wort should be taken especially carefully. The combination of this medicinal herb with antidepressants can lead to dizziness, confusion, anxiety and seizures;
St. John's wort should be used with caution in people who require anesthesia, as this plant can prolong or enhance the effects of some pain medications. 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 the plant have shown that some components of the plant also have a negative effect on the optic nerve.
Can St. John's wort be used during pregnancy?
Since this plant is famous for its healing properties, the question often arises, can expectant mothers use it? It is strictly contraindicated to use St. John's wort inside while carrying a child and breastfeeding, since St. John's wort can negatively affect the course of pregnancy, and also gives a bitter taste to breast milk.
External use in the form of ointments, rinsing, washing is allowed for women at any gestational age.
Education: A diploma in the specialty "Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the University named after N. I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Moscow University of Peoples' Friendship (2008).