The benefits of St. John’s Wort have been appreciated for over 2,500 years old. This essential plant of herbal medicine would have in particular the property of chasing away melancholy... St. John’s Wort is thus considered to be theone of the best natural antidepressants of the world.
IDENTITY RECORD
Name: St. John’s Wort
Scientific name : Hypericum perforatum
Botanical family: Hypericaceae
Parts used: dried flowers
Indications: depression, depressive state, anxiety, nervous agitation, sleep disturbance, insomnia, stress
Preparation: infusion, powder, essential oil, poultice
St. John’s Wort is an herbaceous plant, found in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, which can grow up to 1 m tall. It is known as Midsummer Grass or Devil’s Hunt and was once considered a ” magic plant Used to ward off evil spirits.
Still called Hypericum perforatum L., it takes its name from its appearance because, viewed against the light, its leaves give the impression of being pierced with a thousand holes. In St. John’s Wort, these are the flowering tops (bright yellow) harvested from May to July which represent the active part of the plant. Today it is found almost everywhere, along the roads or in the meadows.
The benefits of St. John’s Wort
The flowers of St. John’s Wort are particularly effective in combating psychosomatic disorders, seasonal depressive states, stress and nervous agitation. In regular treatment, St. John’s Wort is essentially used for depression over the long term and combats emotional pain, lack of desire to live, mental fatigue, overwork …
Considered theone of the best natural antidepressants worldwide, it acts on the production of serotonin (hormone of well-being) and melatonin (hormone of sleep). These hormones, in turn, act against stress, anxiety, discomfort, bad mood and promote a deep and restful sleep all ailments that maintain depression. The anxiolytic effect of St. John’s Wort is very powerful thanks to its active ingredients: hypericin and hyperforin.
St. John’s Wort flowers contain several active ingredients, such as hyperforin, hypericin, tannins, flavonoids, and essential oils. These active ingredients are effective in fighting depression light.
This natural antidepressant, also has soothing, antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, healing, analgesic powers… The benefits of St. John’s Wort therefore seem difficult to match!
St. John’s Wort, a health treasure
- St. John’s Wort is used externally to treat bruises and burns in the first degree.
- This plant calms gastric disorders, stomach pains, acid reflux and fight inflammation of the intestines.
- It improves brain function, restores the balance of the nervous system and increases learning abilities, concentration and memory.
- St. John’s Wort participates in cell regeneration and thus treats dry skin.
- Its use relieves the side effects of menopause (hot flashes, low morale, loss of libido).
- Its flowers improve the quality of sleep and help fight against insomnia.
- Its consumption helps with smoking cessation and reduces the intensity of toothaches.
- Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, this plant relieves muscle pain such as cramps and neuralgia.
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How to take advantage of the benefits of St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s Wort is consumed in different forms: capsule, tablet, herbal tea, oily macerate, mother tincture … For the treatment of mild depression and sleep disorders, it takes between 2 and 4 weeks of treatment for the effects of St. John’s Wort are felt.
- In infusion : we put 2 to 4 dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. This preparation is taken 3 times a day to fight against sleep disorders.
- In liquid extract : it takes 1 to 2 ml 3 times a day for neuralgic pains, painful wounds, burns.
- In tablet : we take 300 mg twice a day.
- Mother tincture : 3 to 6 ml 3 times a day for sleep disorders.
- Oil : it is applied to the injured parts, 1 to 3 times a day to heal wounds, relieve burns, cramps and neuralgia.
However, it is suggested to gradually reduce the doses of St. John’s Wort over 1 to 2 weeks when you want to interrupt treatment, in order to avoid a potential withdrawal syndrome.
Contraindications and precautions for use
Although this plant is useful against depression, it is not recommended for people undergoing treatment for depression, to avoid amplifying its effects. St. John’s Wort should therefore not be used in people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Also not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, it can nevertheless be administered to young children from 6 years old in reduced doses. Also it is contraindicated sunbathe during treatment with St. John’s Wort (sunburn), because hypericin has a photosensitizing effect.
To enjoy the benefits of St. John’s Wort without the slightest risk, it is not recommended to consume it along with ginkgo, valerian, hawthorn, passionflower. It should not be used at the same time as an oral contraceptive, anti-vitamin K drugs, during treatment against HIV, etc.
Nevertheless, he has few side effects when consumed in the recommended doses. However, during treatment with St. John’s Wort, you may experience slight digestive disorders, a feeling of fatigue, sleep disturbances, some cases of skin allergy and dry mouth.
Do you know any other benefits of St. John’s Wort? Tell us in the comments …
