Discover The St John's Wort Plant Properties

St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

 
General Description
Herba San Xuan, Herba Foradada, Grass of the wounds, St John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum, Milaxilo, Ostoargal, Perico, Pericón.

Name: St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) .

Habitat: fresh Meadows flowering: In May be used: sumidad .Uses: Healing, sedative, antidepressant.

Description
The St John's wort is a perennial plant of showy yellow inflorescences.

In the Middle Ages it was current burn this herb in the presumably houses habited by the devil, by the belief that the smell scorched of the St John's wort was unbearable for Satan who was fleeing in terror.


It is a plant that grows well in the whole Iberian Peninsula and that prefer uncultivated land, fresh meadows, water courses and mountain trails. It abounds in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The plant blooms flowering from May onwards; are collected the blanched in full bloom and with sunny weather, as it is usually coincide with the end of June. Once collected the tops and the top of the stem, are dried in the shade,well ventilated.

Applications
* Antidepressant: Mild
* Healing: Strong
* Sedative: Moderate

The St John's wort has a essential oil, tannins and hydrocarbons. At this plant is attributed countless properties but above all to be a good healing cup as well as antiseptic, astringent; it is also a plant slightly sedative and has antidepressant properties although very mild.

Is indicated for the treatment of anxiety, depression, diarrhea, asthma, peptic ulcer and hemorrhoids. However  has a substance, the hypericin, which consumed in large doses can produce photosensitization phenomena, with sunburn, burns and even ulcerations, so it is not recommended abuse prepared on the basis of this plant , although this unwanted effect is being studied in depth because it could be useful in certain types of skin diseases, such as vitiligo. 
In any case, its use should be subject to medical control.

Administration
Ointment. To a liter of olive oil are added 200 grams of each of the following plants:

St. John's wort, calendula, plantain and yarrow L.; slow-cooked for 3-5 hours, it is left to cool, it is filtered and stored in an airtight container away from light, because it could make rancid. It is applied directly on the contused area, with a gentle massage.

St johns wort tea
* Infusion. In a liter of water is made by boiling 30g of flowering tops; it tempers the liquid, where it is filtered, sweetened, and you can drink it in small cups throughout the day.

* Fluid extract. At the rate of 35-45 drops of extract, 3 times a day. There is also on the market, the dry extract.

* St John's wort Oil. Very useful for sores, ulcers, and burns. It is prepared with 125 grams of flowering tops, 250 grams of olive oil and wine 125, to be white as possible. All is macerated for 3-5 days, after which the mixture is heated in a water bath for 3 Hours;filter the liquid and compresses soaked in this oil to apply locally.