St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort
Hypericum perforatum
AKA: Goatweed, Hypericum, Johnswort, Klamath weed, St. Johnswort
Portrait: Perennial. Native to Europe, especially Britain, and western Asia. Naturalized in eastern North America and the US Pacific coast. Favors meadows, open woods, and grassy banks. Entire plant has a heady, oily, turpentine-like scent. Five-petaled, yellow flowers appearing from June to September indicate readiness for harvest.
Medicinal Element: Flowering tops, leaves, stems
Herbal Properties: Antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant, nervine, vulnerary
Summary: An herb of many legends and rich in magical attributes, St. John’s wort is used medicinally to treat conditions involving nervous agitation. Once used as a liver and gallbladder tonic, this herb is highly effective medicine for easing stomach pain, intestinal spasms, and chest congestion. St. John’s wort tea is an ancient remedy for menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding. In addition to these virtues, this herb is perhaps best known and most frequently used as an agent for treating depression and anxiety. St. John’s wort is known to calm the nerves and promote a sense of well-being without inducing sleep or grogginess. Recent studies in Europe have suggested that hypericin and pseudohypericin, two of many active compounds in St. John’s wort, have antiviral properties specific to retroviruses including HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS. External applications of the oil extract from this herb may be used to soothe burns, sores, bruises, and minor wounds. St. John’s wort is sometimes fatal to livestock, therefore, do not store this herb in areas accessible to pets. This herb may cause photosensitivity in some individuals, particularly those with pale complexions – use a sunscreen with a high SPF when using St. John’s wort.
copyright 1997-2007. All rights reserved.
Filed under: herbs | Leave a Comment
No Responses Yet to “St. John’s Wort”