St. John's wort is a plant with beneficial properties. In the old days it was called “the cure for 100 ailments” and was used to treat diseases.
The herb St. John's wort contains many substances that are beneficial and necessary for the body, but it also contains toxic components that can have a depressing effect on health. Animals avoid eating grass because it is poisonous to them - hence the name “St. John’s wort”.
Composition of St. John's wort
The vitamin series of St. John's wort is represented by , P, PP and C. Vitamin A is good for vision, skin and hair. Ascorbic acid affects the bulk of processes in the body, tones and strengthens. increases in combination with other vitamins contained in St. John's wort.
The plant also includes:
- tannins, which have an astringent and antibacterial effect.
- essential oils and resins with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- saponins, phytoncides and traces of alkaloids.
What are the benefits of St. John's wort?
In the old days they said that St. John's wort itself finds “weak” places in the body and treats where it is most needed. The plant has a beneficial effect on all body systems.
For the digestive tract
The decoction successfully treats gastritis, ulcerative lesions of the gastroduodenal region, colitis, diarrhea, diseases of the liver and gallbladder, kidneys and urinary tract.
For the nervous system
St. John's wort actively helps restore the functions of nerve fibers, calms the nerves, relieves tension and restores strength. It is used to relieve PMS and menopause in women, in the treatment of neuroses, especially complex ones, accompanied by headaches and insomnia.
The plant is included in some antidepressants.
For the circulatory and cardiovascular system
St. John's wort is able to relieve vascular spasms - this normalizes the functioning of the heart and blood circulation in general. The plant has hemostatic properties and is used in the treatment of wounds and damage caused by surgery.
St. John's wort has unique property relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes. This allows it to be used in the treatment of respiratory organs and dental problems, as well as inflammation of the female genital area.
St. John's wort tincture
The drug is used to treat tonsillitis, tonsillitis, cancer, diseases of the gallbladder, intestines, stomach, lungs, and is also indicated for depression. To prepare the infusion, pour 1 part of the dried herb with 5 parts of vodka, close the container with the mixture and place in a dark place for a week. Take 40 drops 3 times a day.
Harm and contraindications of St. John's wort
When using St. John's wort, it is necessary to remember that it also contains toxic substances, which in large quantities can have a depressing effect on perception - photosensitivity increases and contributes to an increase in blood pressure. To avoid unpleasant symptoms Always stick to recommended dosages and use herbal remedies wisely.
Used for a very long time. It was used by the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates. Dioscorides and Pliny in the 1st century AD prescribed St. John's wort for sciatica, burns, fever, and infused with wine for bites poisonous snakes. But the medieval herbalist of the 11th century, Hildegard of Bingen, did not favor it, pointing only to properties harmful to livestock.
The Latin name of the genus consists of two parts - hyper- above, above, above, and eikon- image, image, icon. This is explained by the Greek and Roman traditions of keeping a bunch of St. John's wort in the house in order to drive away evil spirits, and later by the medieval tradition of placing a bunch of grass on top of the icon to ward off the forces of evil. It was even used to remove damage.
Among the ancient Germans, St. John's wort was dedicated to the sun god Baldus. In many European countries and the USA St. John's wort is called St. John's herb - in honor of John the Baptist (in fact, this is how both English and German name), on the eve of Christmas, when St. John's wort blooms (June 24 for Catholics). There are many legends associated with this, the essence of which basically boils down to the fact that the red juice from the flowers is reminiscent of the shed blood of John the Baptist and his martyrdom.
In the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was a highly revered medicinal plant. Konrad von Megenburg wrote that it strengthens the heart and liver, cleanses the kidneys, heals wounds and removes poisons. The unforgettable Philip Aurelius Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, or in short Paracelsus, in one of his books pointed out the plant’s ability to “drive out evil spirits, terrible thoughts that lead people to despair,” and modern scientists prescribe St. John’s wort against depression. Medieval doctors called St. John's wort "Fuga Daemonum" - from lat. fuga- “flight”, “pursuit”, that is, the flight of demons or the pursuit of demons.
St. John's wort, collected on June 24, was considered especially effective in medieval Europe, and it was used for rheumatism, gout and toothache.
St. John's wort earned its Russian name due to its phototoxic properties. When eaten by livestock on pasture in large quantities Animals with white fur experience skin redness and even burns. In Russia, St. John's wort, in addition to the official one, has many local folk names, including: hare, hare tree, hare blood, hare blood, bell grass, vertebrae, St. John's wort, healthy grass, St. Ivan's potion, St. Ivan's herb, blood man, blood man, well done blood grass, red grass, sevenfold blood, wild chicken, ailment.
What is the healing power of St. John's wort?
St. John's wort herb contains essential oil(up to 1.25%), sterols (3-sitosterol), triterpene saponins, alkaloids (0.3%), nitrogen-containing compounds (choline), vitamins (C, E, carotene), phenolcarboxylic acids and their derivatives, coumarins, tannins substances (3-12%), including catechins, 2-5% flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, hyperin), anthocyanins (5.7%), anthraquinones (dye hypericin, pseudohypericin, protopseudohypericin, hypericodehydro -dianthrone, frangulaemodinanthrol), phloroglucinol derivatives (hyperforin, the content of which is maximum in seed pods), leukoatocyanidins, higher aliphatic hydrocarbons (octacosane, triacontane), higher aliphatic alcohols, citric and malonic acids.
pharmachologic effect
The range of applications of St. John's wort is extremely wide. Meticulous German specialists tried to figure out which of the substances contained in it works and how. And after lengthy research, certain results were obtained, although far from complete.
Hypericin, which is a fluorescent red dye, is responsible for photosensitizing, antimicrobial (even active against staphylococcus), antiviral effects, antidepressant (affects the content of serotonin and melatonin, the lack of which in brain cells can lead to depressive conditions).
Quercetin and quercitrin are monoamine reductase inhibitors, thereby exhibiting an antidepressant effect.
Tannins are “responsible” for the astringent effect.
Procyanidins and amentoflavones - antioxidants , eliminate dyspeptic symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract, have a vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing effect. Hyperforin has a wound-healing effect on burns and wounds, an anthelmintic, antibacterial effect, regulates the level of neurotransmitters or neurotransmitters (substances that ensure the transmission of nerve impulses in brain tissue), a potential remedy for the treatment of cancer.
Flavonoids probably have a sedative, diuretic and choleretic effect. Xanthones have antidepressant, antibacterial, antiviral, diuretic effects, improve heart function.
In general, all these biologically active substances collected in St. John's wort have a beneficial effect on a wide variety of diseases.
When is St. John's wort used?
Given the wide variety of active ingredients, St. John's wort is effective for a wide variety of diseases. This is truly from 99 diseases.
Water infusions and decoctions of St. John's wort are prescribed for gastritis, acute and chronic enteritis and colitis, and bacterial intestinal diseases, and an alcohol tincture is effective for dysbacteriosis. Taking St. John's wort oil also gives good results for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
St. John's wort is prescribed for biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatitis, and flatulence. Decoctions and infusions are used as a diuretic for inflammatory kidney diseases, urolithiasis, decreased filtration capacity of the kidneys, and fluid retention in the body. In folk medicine it is used for urinary incontinence, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis.
St. John's wort tincture (1:5 in 40% alcohol) is used for purulent otitis media in the form of turundas soaked in the tincture. Diluted 1 teaspoon of tincture in a glass boiled water used as a rinse for stomatitis, periodontal disease, gingivitis, chronic tonsillitis and tonsillitis. For a runny nose and sinusitis, instilling St. John's wort oil into the nose is effective.
For burns, the use of St. John's wort oil promotes rapid skin regeneration and prevents the appearance of scars on it. This plant has a general strengthening and tonic effect. St. John's wort can be used either alone or in combination with other plants.
St. John's wort and impotence
IN Lately In the literature, it has become common to point out that St. John's wort causes impotence in men and facial hair growth in women. However, this information has not been confirmed by any scientific data. On the contrary, there is data on positive impact St. John's wort for impotence. This plant stimulates the activity of the endocrine glands, and therefore the production of sex hormones, including androgens, increases. However, St. John's wort itself does not have an androgenic effect. That is, it cannot provoke facial hair growth in women (as, for example, with long-term use, licorice provokes gynecomastia in men).
St. John's wort and depression
The antidepressant property of St. John's wort began to be mentioned in Russian literature only in the last decade, and, for example, in Germany it is the most common mild antidepressant, which is prescribed for mild and moderate depression, seasonal emotional disorders, insomnia, and anxiety. Studies have shown that St. John's wort preparations combine the antidepressant effects of several pharmacological groups of antidepressants.
On the one hand, it increases the content of serotonin in brain cells. A lack of this substance in nerve cells can cause depression. Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, one of the commonly used groups of antidepressants, act similarly. On the other hand, as studies have shown, it is possible that St. John's wort “works” as an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase. The enzyme monoamine oxidase destroys neurotransmitters - serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, the lack of which in brain cells again leads to depression. Evidence from other studies suggests that St. John's wort increases dopamine levels in the blood and acts as a tricyclic antidepressant. With all this, St. John's wort does not have side effects all of the above groups of pharmacological drugs.
In Germany, dry extract of St. John's wort, standardized for hypericin content, is widely used. The duration of treatment for depression, anxiety and insomnia is 4-6 weeks.
How to cook it correctly
This is a whole science. It all depends on what therapeutic effect is desired. When preparing aqueous infusions, not all active ingredients pass into the solution. Hypericin, for example, almost all remains in the raw material, so you shouldn’t expect a strong antimicrobial effect from St. John’s wort tea, but almost all of the tannins pass into the aqueous infusion. In addition, as studies have shown, the antidepressant effect of water infusions and decoctions is also minimally expressed. But alcohol tinctures give maximum results. Therefore, let us dwell in more detail on the features of the preparation and use of the main dosage forms of St. John's wort.
Water infusion St. John's wort is prepared at the rate of 1 tablespoon of crushed raw materials per 1 glass of boiling water. Infuse for 2 hours, filter and take 1/3 cup 3 times a day for rheumatism and gallbladder diseases. Due to the content of catechins, there is a certain vascular strengthening effect.
Decoction prepared in the same ratio as the infusion, but boiled for 10 minutes, cooled and filtered. Taken orally as an astringent for diarrhea and colitis. For rinsing with stomatitis and gingivitis.
Herbal tincture prepared with 50 or 40% alcohol from dry raw materials and 96% alcohol from fresh raw materials. Alcohol dissolves hypericin well, one of the main active ingredients of St. John's wort. 50 g of crushed dry St. John's wort herb is poured into 0.5 liters of vodka or 50% alcohol. Infuse for 3-4 weeks and take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day half an hour before meals.
St. John's wort oil, or oil extract, gives excellent results in local therapy. It is prepared from fresh raw materials. Fresh St. John's wort flowers are placed tightly in a glass jar, filled with refined sunflower or olive oil so that it covers the raw material with a layer of 1-2 cm, close with a lid and expose to a bright sunlight(required condition!). Infuse the oil for 4 weeks, stirring daily, until it acquires the color of ripe cherries. Then it is squeezed through gauze, filtered through thick cloth and left alone for a day. When settling, the contents of the jar are divided into three layers: at the very bottom a thin, light and unpleasant-smelling layer of yeast is formed, above it is a small layer of water and on top is an oil extract of St. John's wort. The top layer is poured into a dark glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator for no more than a year.
It is used to treat burns, microenemas, dropped into the nose for a runny nose, drunk for stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and food poisoning.
Attempts to obtain oil from dry raw materials were unsuccessful. In addition, as recent studies have shown, when fresh raw materials are infused in bright light, complex photochemical and enzymatic processes occur, as a result of which hyperforin is formed, which has such a strong wound-healing and antimicrobial effect. It is almost not present in herbs and other dosage forms.
St. John's wort oil is used for injuries, myositis, myalgia, and wounds. It improves local blood circulation, and hyperforin has antimicrobial and antiviral effects, including against multi-antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. St. John's wort oil exhibits antiviral and analgesic effects for herpes zoster.
Ready-made drugs
St. John's wort tincture(Tinctura hyperici). Prepared in 40% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5. Used as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent in dental practice. 40-50 drops are prescribed orally 3-4 times a day. For rinsing - 30-40 drops per half glass of water.
Contraindications: St. John's wort naphthodianthrones can, in case of overdose, exhibit a phototoxic effect and increase the skin's reaction to UV irradiation, and therefore people with sensitive skin should protect their skin from direct sunlight when taking St. John's wort and its preparations. In some cases, like side effects Digestive problems, allergic skin reactions and feelings of fatigue may occur. Long-term use may result in a feeling of bitterness in the mouth.
It is not recommended to use St. John's wort simultaneously with coumarin-type anticoagulants, cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant), digoxin, indinavir and other proteinase inhibitors in the treatment of HIV. The combined use of St. John's wort with these drugs may reduce their effectiveness. St. John's wort induces the production of enzymes, especially Cytochrome P450, that degrade drugs, and reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
Nutritional value of St. John's wort
St. John's wort is used in the food and alcoholic beverage industries. It is added as a seasoning to fish dishes, used as a tea substitute. This plant is widely used for the preparation of many bitters ("St. John's wort", "Erofeich"), almost all balms, it is included in the recipe of wines "Bouquet of Moldova", "Morning Dew", etc.
To relieve stress, improve well-being after hard physical and mental work, as well as improve appetite and digestion, you can prepare a food tincture with vodka (see St. John's wort tincture). Take 50 ml before meals.
Read about medicinal types of St. John's wort, rules for growing and collecting raw materials on the page
Often in clearings in the forest, along roads and in meadows you can find grass with bright yellow five-petaled flowers and a bittersweet aroma. This plant is St. John's wort. It grows throughout the entire territory of our vast country, perhaps not in the far north.
Since ancient times, this medicinal plant has been used in folk medicine in the form of medicinal decoctions, lotions and ointments. Our distant ancestors knew how St. John's wort was beneficial for men and women and often used it, and to this day St. John's wort can be found in almost all formulations of medicinal herbs.
St. John's wort has many beneficial properties and acts as:
- tonic;
- antiviral agent;
- anti-inflammatory agent;
- regenerating agent;
- astringent;
- natural antidepressant.
It is especially important for the stronger sex to know how St. John's wort is useful, because this natural remedy has the ability to increase potency! St. John's wort is a natural biologically active aphrodisiac. It is not without reason that since ancient times, a strong decoction of St. John's wort was taken by men who wanted to give themselves and their beloved an unforgettable sleepless night. If you also want to try this ancient recipe, which enhances both desires and possibilities, then you should not get carried away with it too often; once or twice a month is quite enough, as sexopathologists say. Otherwise, things could get much worse.
St. John's wort is also useful for women at any age. For very young girls who have just begun their first menstrual cycle, it will help even it out faster, regulate the duration and at the same time make it less painful.
St. John's wort decoctions are also indicated for severe PMS. By taking them, you can reduce irritability, fatigue, improve your mood and overall well-being.
During menopause, St. John's wort can benefit the female body by calming and stabilizing disrupted hormonal levels.
The use of St. John's wort is contraindicated only during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since when it enters the body of a nursing mother, it imparts a bitter taste to breast milk, and the baby may refuse to breastfeed.
Well, now we know how St. John's wort is useful for men and women in various life situations. Now let's look at the main list of diseases for which St. John's wort is most useful. And how exactly it will be useful in each specific case.
1. Obstetric and gynecological diseases:
- Mastitis - oil applications with St. John's wort extract on the mammary glands.
- Cracked nipples - lotions with a decoction.
- Leucorrhoea - douching with a decoction twice a day helps a lot.
- Due to the good bactericidal properties of St. John's wort, tampons with a strong decoction will help with thrush.
- Normalization of well-being during menopause.
- Effective in the treatment of premenstrual tension syndrome.
2. Androgenic diseases:
- Thanks to its pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, it perfectly fights inflammation of the prostate gland.
- With infrequent use, once or twice a month, due to its stimulating effect, it increases potency.
3. Neurological diseases- due to the antidepressant and sedative properties of hyperforin, it helps very well with:
- Sleep disorders.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Persistent headaches.
- Depression and depressive states.
- Neuralgia.
- Emotional instability.
- Restless states.
4. Urological diseases - St. John's wort is known for its diuretic properties and helps cope with:
- Cystitis.
- Urolithiasis.
5. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:
- For constipation, it acts as a mild laxative, improving intestinal motility.
- An astringent used for diarrhea.
- Thanks to tannins and resins, it will help with colitis and gastritis.
6. Surgical and dermatological diseases- acts as a local anesthetic and antibacterial drug for external use, has a drying and good regenerating effect:
- Fresh and infected wounds.
- Ulcers, including trophic ones.
- 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
- Inflammatory and purulent processes of the skin - pyodermatitis.
- Inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue - boils, abscesses, carbuncles.
7. Otolaryngological diseases- thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and essential oils, it treats:
- Acute rhinitis.
- Pharyngitis.
- Purulent sinusitis, pansinusitis and sinusitis.
- Acute, purulent and chronic otitis.
- Tonsillitis.
- Dry cough.
8. Dental diseases- tannins and antibacterial effect, as well as vitamins A and C help in the treatment of:
- Ulcerative stomatitis.
- Gingivitis.
- To strengthen gums during periodontitis and periodontal disease.
- Helps get rid of bad breath.
The main list of drugs based on St. John's wort, their analogues and cost
Negrustin. Latin name - Negrustin. The active ingredient is St. John's wort herb dry extract.
Available in the form of capsules and solution.
You can buy it at the pharmacy in the form of capsules (in quantities of 30 pieces) for 180-240 rubles. 50 ml of Negrustin tincture will cost you the same price.
Deprim , Gelarium Hypericum, Deprim Forte, Herbion Hypericum, Neuroplant, Doppelhertz Nervotonic, Novoimanin, Life 600, St. John's wort extract, Life 900, Turinervin, Hypericin, St. John's wort dry extract.
Gelarium Hypericum. Latin name - Helarium Hypericum. The main component is St. John's wort extract. On average in Russia it costs from 140 to 250 rubles per package of thirty tablets.
The main analogues are: Deprim , Cipralex, Fluoxetine, Rexetine.
Deprim. Latin name - Deprim. Active ingredient: St. John's wort herb (Hyperici herba). Available in tablet form. For a package of thirty pieces you will have to pay 200 - 250 rubles.
The main analogues are: Gelarium Hypericum, Hyperflav, Deprivit, Alventa, Neuroplant, Velaxin, Prefaxin, Venlaxor, Venlift, Mirtel.
A bunch of positive feedback St. John's wort-based preparations were written by those who were convinced by their own example of the medical quality of this herbal antidepressant.
It is important to know
It is noted that it is convenient to use St. John's wort in tablets to relieve depression and nervous disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, actively help heal wounds and improve skin condition.
The high pharmacological effect of taking drugs based on St. John's wort has been confirmed by numerous medical studies.
Reviews about the antidepressant effect of St. John's wort note that it is still better to consult a doctor so that he can prescribe a treatment system and describe the entire mechanism of taking medications.
When planning to check the effectiveness of drugs based on St. John's wort, you should not forget to read the instructions, where special attention should be paid to side effects and contraindications.
Preparations based on St. John's wort should not be taken:
- if you are allergic to St. John's wort;
- when taking hormone-containing drugs;
- during pregnancy;
- with prolonged exposure to the sun;
- children under twelve years of age inside;
- when using antibiotics, antidepressants (if taken, serotonin syndrome may develop) and antiepileptic drugs;
- with increased photosensitivity.
When breastfeeding, preparations based on St. John's wort can only be used externally.
In this article we will talk about the herb, which is included in the preparations for the treatment of about a hundred various diseases- this is St. John's wort. It is a plant with small variegated yellow flowers, and can reach one meter in height. It has been used as a component of various mixtures 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 a medical point of view, 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 medicinal purposes. Decoctions and infusions are prepared from them. To treat skin inflammation, a decoction of the plant is added to the bath. St. John's wort roots are used to treat bone tuberculosis and dysentery.
St. John's wort is an excellent antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, as well as a diuretic and anthelmintic. It perfectly stops bleeding, so it is used to treat wounds and injuries. The plant is also 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 medications 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 amount negative impact on the perception process, blood pressure rises.
Use as tea or decoction
Currently, juice from St. John's wort is practically not used to treat various diseases, because required amount extremely difficult. For these reasons, the plant is commonly used as tinctures, infusions, and teas.
A decoction of St. John's wort is used for oral administration, gargling, and treating inflammation of the skin. To prepare it, you need to take enamel dishes (resistant to high temperatures), grass and boiling water. It is necessary to observe the ratio of 200 ml of boiling water per 15 grams of dry herb. After this, the herb is brewed and placed in a water bath for about 20 minutes, not allowing the decoction to boil. Then judge the broth, strain and take it in equal portions throughout the day.
St. John's wort can also be used in the form of tea. To do this, you need to take regular black brewed tea. good quality, add St. John's wort to it, pour boiling water over it and leave to steep 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. For improvement taste qualities You can add sugar, honey or jam to the drink.
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, so there are restrictions on its intake.
- Firstly, St. John's wort should not be used by pregnant women. Its use should also be avoided breastfeeding. When taking it breast milk acquires a pronounced bitter taste and may be rejected by the baby.
- Secondly, you cannot use this medicinal plant hypertensive patients, as it increases blood pressure.
St. John's wort also cannot be used in parallel with taking heart medications, antibiotics, or contraceptives, since the effect of the 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 take medications from the specified list, then you can achieve the opposite negative result.
A healthy person should also be careful when taking decoctions, tinctures, and 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 of acute gastritis, etc. When using medications based on St. John's wort, decoctions and tinctures, you should avoid constant exposure to the sun or visiting a solarium, since the plant significantly increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, which can lead to sunstroke. When using St. John's wort in small quantities, for a short period of time and without any contraindications, you will not harm yourself.
St. John's wort is used today in medicine in the treatment of prostatitis to relieve swelling. However, it is worth understanding that the use of St. John's wort should only occur under the supervision of a doctor and for a strictly prescribed time. Self-use without a doctor's prescription can have an extremely negative impact on male strength.
Violations in administration, an increase in the duration of its use in some cases can lead to impotence, which is usually temporary. Moreover, after stopping taking medications with St. John's wort, sexual dysfunction may continue to occur for some time.
Contraindications during pregnancy
During pregnancy, significant functional changes occur in a woman’s body, and hormonal levels change. 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, medications, 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 reception by children. The manufacturer indicates an age limit of 12 years on the packaging of St. John's wort.
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 a small amount of herbal decoction to the bathtub. It allows you to relieve inflammatory manifestations on the child’s skin. In any case, when deciding to use 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
Hypericum perforatum L.
Taxon: family St. John's wort (Hypericaceae) order Malpighiales.
Common names: common St. John's wort, Ivanovo grass, bloodwort, valiant blood, red grass, hare's blood, holey St. John's wort, yellow St. John's wort, St. John's wort, bloodwort, bloodwort, twigwort.
English: Common St.John's worth
Description:
St. John's wort is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant up to 1 m high. The rhizome is thin, branched, producing several stems annually. The stem is straight, dense, cylindrical, with two longitudinal prominent ribs. The leaves are opposite, sessile, smooth, entire, oblong-oval, with numerous translucent light dots and rare black glands containing a coloring matter. Inside the translucent dots there are droplets of resinous substances that strongly refract light and therefore the leaves appear perforated. The flowers are golden-yellow with black-brown dots on the underside of the petals, collected in a corymbose panicle. The fruit is a three-locular, ovoid, multi-seeded capsule that opens with three valves. The seeds are small (about 1 mm), oblong, brown, fine-celled.
St. John's wort blooms from June to August from the 2-3rd year of life, the fruits ripen from July. When mowing St. John's wort in years with a wet second half of summer in August - September, its regrowth and secondary flowering are observed.
The yield of the plant in natural thickets is subject to large fluctuations - in dry years it almost does not bloom. Propagated by seeds (mainly) and root suckers.
Along with St. John's wort, in some parts of its range there are other species of the same genus, the use of which in medicine is not yet permitted. A number of external signs make it possible to distinguish these species. St. John's wort (H. maculatum Crantz) is distinguished by a tetrahedral stem and the absence of glandular cilia along the edge of the sepals. St. John's wort (H. hirsutum L.) has densely pubescent leaves and cylindrical, non-grooved, densely pubescent stems. St. John's wort (H. elegans Steph.) has spotted stems due to pinpoint glands, and the inflorescence is a pyramidal panicle. St. John's wort (H. scabrum L.) has rough stems covered with small glandular warts.
Spreading:
Distributed throughout almost the entire territory of the CIS, with the exception of the northern and northeastern regions. Grows on fresh sandy and loamy soils in pine and mixed forests, in clearings, clearings, on fallow lands, near roads. Rarely forms large thickets (usually on fallow lands); more often it grows in narrow stripes along the edges of the forest.
From the history:
St. John's wort is a unique medicinal plant that was used by the ancient Romans. Dressings from the leaves of St. John's wort were recommended by Avicenna for the treatment of ulcers, wounds and burns. ethnoscience in Rus' it was not for nothing that they called this miraculous plant a remedy for 99 diseases, and there was practically no collection that did not include St. John’s wort as a primary or auxiliary medicine.
In the old days, St. John's wort was considered a magical plant. In rural areas, when filling children's mattresses, they always added Bogorodskaya grass (thyme) to the straw so that the child would have sweet dreams, and St. John's wort, so that the smell of this plant would protect the child from fright in his sleep. And grown-up boys and girls told fortunes on the stalks of St. John's wort. They twist it in their hands and see what kind of juice appears: if it’s red, it means he loves it, if it’s colorless, he doesn’t love it. The old people believed that St. John's wort drove away evil spirits, diseases and protected people from attacks by wild animals. The Germans called it “the hall” because they believed that St. John’s wort drove out devils and brownies.
Collection and preparation:
The herb St. John's wort (Herba Hyperici) is used as a medicinal raw material, that is, the tops of stems with flowers, leaves, buds and partially unripe fruits. St. John's wort is harvested during the flowering phase of the plant, before the appearance of unripe fruits. When harvesting, leafy tops up to 25-30 cm long are cut off with knives or sickles; without rough stem bases. It is not allowed to pull out plants by their roots, as this leads to the destruction of thickets and a decrease in the quality of raw materials. When harvesting, it is necessary to leave some of the plants untouched for seeding. The raw material is immediately sent for drying, because it warms up easily, and then darkens when dried.
St. John's wort herb is dried in attics, under sheds or in rooms with good ventilation, spreading it in a thin layer (5-7 cm) and turning it over periodically. It is best to dry in artificially heated dryers at a heating temperature of the dehydrated material no higher than 40 °C. IN good weather the raw material dries in 4-5 days, and in dryers in 1-2 days. The end of drying is determined by the degree of fragility of the stems (in the dried state they do not bend, but break). The shelf life of raw materials is 3 years. Properly dried raw materials have a balsamic smell and a bitter-astringent taste.
Chemical composition:
St. John's wort herb contains up to 13% tannins (maximum at the beginning of the flowering phase), hyperin, hypericin, hyperoside (in the herb up to 0.7%, in flowers up to 1.1%), azulene, essential oil (0.1-1.25 %), which includes a-pinene, myrcene, cineole, geraniol; resinous substances (17%), anthocyanins (up to 6%), saponins, vitamins P and PP, ascorbic acid, carotene, choline, nicotinic acid. Essential oil (up to 0.47%), carotenoids, resinous substances (17%) were found in the flowers of the plant; in the roots - carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids. Juice from fresh St. John's wort herb contains 1.6 times more active ingredients than tincture.
The above-ground part contains: ash - 4.21%; macroelements (mg/g): K - 16.80, Ca - 7.30, Mn - 2.20, Fe - 0.11; microelements (CBN): Mg - 0.25, Cu - 0.34, Zn - 0.71, Co - 0.21, Mo - 5.60, Cr - 0.01, Al - 0.02, Se - 5 .00, Ni - 0.18, Sr -0.18, Cd - 7.20, Pb - 0.08. B - 40.40 µg/g. Ba, V, Li, Ag, Au, I, Br were not detected. Concentrates Mo, Se, Cd. Can accumulate Mg.
Pharmacological properties:
The herb St. John's wort has multifaceted pharmacological properties. The most active compounds are flavonoids, which have an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the intestinal bile ducts, blood vessels and ureters. Flavonoids increase the outflow of bile, prevent stagnation of bile in gallbladder and thereby prevent the possibility of stone formation, facilitate bile secretion in duodenum. In addition, flavonoids relieve spasms of the large and small intestines, restore normal peristalsis, thereby improving the digestive ability of the gastrointestinal tract.
St. John's wort not only relieves spasm of blood vessels, especially capillaries, but also has a capillary-strengthening effect. Medications St. John's wort improves venous circulation and blood supply to some internal organs, and also increase diuresis as a result of a decrease in the tension of the walls of the ureters and a direct increase in filtration in the renal glomeruli.
The plant's tannins have a mild and anti-inflammatory effect.
St. John's wort can stimulate tissue repair.
Application:
Infusion and decoction of St. John's wort is used for liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases(diarrhea, gastritis and peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach), urinary incontinence in children, cystitis, rheumatism, gallbladder disease and hemorrhoids.
Medicines of St. John's wort are used for hepatitis, biliary dyskinesia, gastritis with reduced secretion.
The plant improves venous circulation, relieves spasms and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to improve vision and blood circulation in the fundus, as well as for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Infusions of St. John's wort are used for rinsing the mouth, preventing and treating stomatitis and gingivitis. An infusion in the form of compresses is used for infected and bleeding wounds.
St. John's wort infusion is used to wipe the skin of the face and as a lotion in cosmetology for acne and oily seborrhea.
When treating with St. John's wort, do not forget that it stimulates the production of male sex hormones androgens. Their excess increases the greasiness of the skin, promotes hair growth on the face, torso and limbs, and the emergence of sexual excitability. Because of this, St. John's wort must be taken in combination with plants containing estrogens: licorice roots, peppermint, meadow clover, medicinal sage, and common hops.
Medications:
Infusion.
Brew 1 tbsp with a glass of boiling water. spoon of St. John's wort herb and leave for about 2 hours, then filter. Drink 3 r. per day, 1/3 cup before meals.
Infusion for nervous fatigue.
Pour a glass of boiling water into 1 teaspoon of St. John's wort herb and leave for 5 minutes, then strain. Take 1/2 liter per day with meals.
Tincture for stomatitis and gingivitis.
Pour 5 parts vodka into 1 part St. John's wort herb and let it steep for a week, then filter. Use 3 r. 40-50 drops per day.
To rinse the mouth and throat, dilute 30-40 drops of tincture in 125 ml of water.
Decoction for headaches.
Pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. spoon of St. John's wort herb and boil for 15 minutes over low heat, then cool and filter. Drink 3 r. per day 0.25 cups.
St. John's wort oil for external use(bedsores, burns, ulcers, oral diseases).
Pour a glass of sunflower oil into 3 tbsp. spoons of St. John's wort herb and leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally, filter.
A decoction for kidney and bladder diseases.
Pour a quarter liter of boiling water over a tablespoon of St. John's wort herb and boil over low heat for about 15 minutes, then cool and drain through cheesecloth. Drink 3 r. per day 1/2 cup.
A decoction for diseases of the digestive system.
A glass of boiled hot water pour 1.5 tbsp. spoons of St. John's wort herb, heat for 30 minutes in a boiling water bath. Cool for 10 minutes, filter, squeeze out the raw materials. Bring the volume of the decoction to the volume of a glass. Drink 3 r. per day, 1/3 glass 30 minutes before meals.
Decoction at gynecological diseases for douching.
Pour 2 liters of water into 2-3 tbsp. spoons of St. John's wort herb and boil for about 20 minutes, then the broth should be cooled and strained.
Decoction at .
Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of St. John's wort herb and simmer over low heat for 10 - 15 minutes, and then strain. Drink 3 r. per day 1/4 cup.
St. John's wort ointment.
Crushed St. John's wort herb is mixed with vegetable oil, and turpentine is added. Rub into painful areas (for radiculitis, arthritis, sciatica).
Pharmaceutical drug:
St. John's wort briquettes(Herba Hyperici) - used to make decoctions for rinsing the mouth and taken orally for diarrhea and colitis. St. John's wort briquettes: rectangular, 120x65x10 cm in size, weighing 75 g, divided into 7.5 g slices. The decoction is prepared at the rate of one slice per 200 ml of water. St. John's wort herb is also available in packs of 100 g. Store in a cool, dry place.
Novoimanin(Novoimaninum) is a polyphenolic complex drug. A transparent, resinous, reddish-yellow mass with the smell of honey. Available in the form of a 1% solution in 95% ethyl alcohol. For external use, inhalation, and also in otorhinolaryngology, a 0.1% solution of the drug is used, which is prepared by diluting a 1% alcohol solution with a 0.25% anesthesin solution or a 10% glucose solution, or an isotonic solution of sodium chloride or distilled water. Solutions obtained by diluting a 1% alcohol solution of novoimanin are suitable for use within 24 hours. The shelf life of the drug is 3 years, 1% alcohol solution is 2 years.
Novoimanin is used externally for infected wounds, panaritiums, paronychia, phlegmons, abscesses, carbuncles, boils, hidradenitis, diseases of the ear, nose and throat, trophic ulcers and burns of II and III degrees. The drug increases the regenerative properties of tissues and accelerates the healing process of wounds. For postoperative infiltrates, lymphadenitis, adenophlegmons, some forms of osteoimelit, purulent lesions of the pleura and lungs, postoperative wounds, novoimanin is used using electrophoresis. Aerosol inhalations of novoimanin are used for bronchitis, pneumothorax, lung abscesses, purulent pleurisy, tonsillitis, acute respiratory diseases and exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis, including in children.
The use of novoimanin solution is contraindicated in rapidly developing granulations, as it can lead to bleeding.
Giflarin (Hyflarini)- a preparation from the herb St. John's wort, St. John's wort or St. John's wort meal after receiving novoimanin. It has anti-inflammatory, hypoazotemic, capillary-strengthening and antioxidant effects. It is used in the treatment of acute and chronic nephrosonephritis, nephrosis, all stages of chronic renal failure with symptoms of hyperazotemia and impaired diuresis.
Deprim- St. John's wort extract, contains biologically active substances hypericin and hyperforin. The drug improves mood and reduces feelings of fear and tension, normalizes sleep and appetite, increases motor and mental activity, and performance.
St. John's wort tincture(Tinctura Hyperici) - used in dental practice as an anti-inflammatory and astringent. Prepare in a ratio of 1:5 in 40% alcohol. 40-50 drops are prescribed orally 3-4 times a day. For rinsing - 30-40 drops per 1/2 glass of water. Shelf life: 4 years.
Imaninum- a plant antibiotic isolated in Kyiv under the leadership of Academician V. G. Drobotko from St. John's wort, which has a detrimental effect on more than 40 types of microbes. It is used in the treatment of abscesses, phlegmons, infected wounds, second and third degree burns, ulcers and sinusitis.
St. John's wort oil- green grass is poured with fresh olive or sunflower oil, boiled for 30 minutes, cooled. Prescribed externally for the treatment of wounds and burns.
St. John's wort decoction(Decoctum herbae Hyperici): 10 g (1 1/2 tablespoons) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in boiling water (in a water bath) for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes at room temperature, filter, the remaining raw materials are squeezed out. The volume of the resulting decoction is adjusted to 200 ml with boiled water. The prepared broth is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Used for external use, for douching and washing wounds.
Contraindications:
St. John's wort should not be consumed during pregnancy, fever, or used for a long time in case of hypertension. Long-term use reduces sexual potency and causes urticaria.
St. John's wort increases skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
The herb St. John's wort can cause discomfort in the liver and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth,
