St. John’s wort begins to bloom around St. John’s Day on June 24. Saint John the Baptist birthday, until August – hence its name. There is a myth that St. John’s wort grew in the place of John the Baptist’s beheading. It is believed that the healing and protective properties of the plant were so profound that the devil pierced its leaves to prevent its power.
A brief history of St. John
St. John’s wort is also known by its Latin name, Hypericum perforatum, which refers to the use of the plant by the ancient Greeks, who hung the herb on depictions of gods to ward off evil spirits.
More than 400 species can be found in the Hypericum family. It is the subspecies Hypericum perforatum that is classified as a medicinal plant.
First found in Western Asia, Europe and North America, St. John’s wort has been used as grass for a hundred years.
A Natural antidepressant to heal mind and body
According to the “Lorscher Arzneibuch” of the 8th century, the oldest preserved book on monastic medicine, St. John’s wort can alleviate melancholy, which is a feeling of sadness, despair or sadness.
Later, herbalists and doctors found that it could also help with depression.
St. John’s wort works like a herbal wonder, healing many symptoms of depression, but they intervene gently, unlike antidepressants. Out of all the drugs, antidepressants remain one of the most controversial.
The German neurologist and psychiatrist Karl Kleist, who conducted research between the 1930s and 1950s, found that the symptoms of depression go beyond disorders of brain metabolism. The disease affects the healthy person, physically and psychologically. It is thought that St. John’s wort can help with depression by healing its psychological side.
A 2008 review of 29 international studies suggest that St. John’s wort may be as effective as various standard-prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. Unlike antidepressants, which often require trial and error to find the right dose, St. John’s wort has a more accessible and widespread healing effect.
Many studies have suggested that St. John’s wort increases activity between neurotransmitters. In addition, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrineand melatonin messenger substances are regulated, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) is inhibited.
As a result, you feel happier, more energetic and resilient, sleep better, and have “better nerves” for everyday life.
In addition, St. John’s wort helps relieve physical exhaustion from burnout and stress.
Is it used for various types of depression, including depression associated with menopauseaging and puberty, as well postpartum depression.
Sure, not Addictive, but a bit slow
Like many old world treatments, St. John’s wort has a history of effectiveness spanning hundreds of years of use, showing ppresents few risks.
The 2008 review mentioned above found that St. John’s wort has fewer side effects than antidepressants. This can probably be attributed to its being free of artificial chemicals that can often trigger reactions.
It is also not addictive and can be used in the long run without causing chemical dependence.
At the same time, natural healing requires patience, just like other forms of “slow medicine.”
Individual symptoms begin to improve with some patience, depending on the dose and severity of the symptoms. A positive effect can appear in just a few days, but it often takes about two to four weeks.
A “universal medicine”
While Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century abbess, expressed concern St. John’s worts standards of cultivation and considered it unsuitable for human consumption, the famous Swiss physician Paracelsus of the 16th century considered St. John’s wort to be a universal medicine.
It not only helped with depression and other mental health problems, but also helped with other bodily functions.
Improves immunity
St. John’s wort helps strengthen the immune system by stimulating cellular metabolism.
It also increases the skin photosensitivity. Sunlight allows the body to produce vitamin D, which supports the immune system and many other biochemical processes. Sunlight also induces the death of metastatic melanoma cells.
It helps heal wounds
St. John’s wort helps heal wounds faster, and without scarring. If the woman’s perineum ruptures during childbirth, the birth attendants will use St. John’s wort. When applied to third degree burns, St. John’s wort heals them faster than other medicines, both external and internal.
Traditionally used in German medicine, St. John’s wort oil promotes antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effectswhich also helps with wound healing.
The yellow flowers yield a deep red oil; the color comes from hypericin, a red pigment that is believed to be one of the active components, along with hyperforin.
Hyperforin can inhibit cancer invasion and metastasis, as well as other pathogens. When combined with sunlight, it can inhibit some virus.
Soothe Chronic Pain
This plant is also claimed to relieve the pain of various conditions, including sciatica, rheumatismarthritis, gout, and menstruation, as well lumbago, strains, and contortions in the lower part. It can also ease the itching and burning of hemorrhoids and vaginitis.
St. John’s wort oil is also used to treat it myalgia (muscle pain, inflammation and pain after treatment), soothes and moisturizes the skin, and relieves skin irritation.
It can also help with:
- Balanced blood sugar
- Nerve tension and nerve pain (neuralgia)
- Bladder infections
- Contraction (astringent) slowing of bleeding (hemostatic)
- Stomach discomfort, including diarrhea and flatulence
How to use St. John’s wort
There are many ways to use St. John’s wort oils, extracts, tinctures and teas to treat minor symptoms of psychological and psychosomatic problems.
The red oil is produced when the flowers and leaves are pressed.
To create a topical ointment, combine the herb with petroleum jelly, cocoa butter or beeswax. For topical applications, compresses (with water) can also be used.
To make tinctures with St. John’s wort, mix 1/4 jar of dried herb with 80 to 90 proof alcohol poured up to the top of the jar. Place a lid on the jar. Keep the tincture in a tight glass container in a dark place for about six weeks. Consider diluting the solution for use in compresses. Apple cider vinegar is also an alternative to alcohol.
To take the tincture, add about 10 drops of water to a glass.
The dosages vary in different clinical trials, mostly ranging from 300 milligrams a day to 1,800 milligrams a day. According to Web MD, the most common dose used in “studies has been 300 milligrams three times a day as a standardized extract.”
The skin’s sensitivity to UV light increases with higher daily doses, so avoid excessive sun exposure while taking it.
How to find or grow St. John’s wort
Hypericum has deep roots, a two-cut stem and five-petalled yellow flowers, which have yellow stamens, black spots and purple longitudinal stripes.
A variety of habitats support the plant, including roadsides, embankments, forest edges, and dry grasslands.
It is easy to grow; gardeners and pot gardeners have been able to grow the plant in sterile conditions.
St. John’s wort can interact with medications and weaken their effects, so be sure to check with a herbalist or doctor before you start taking it.