This article will focus on the grass, which is part of the fees for the treatment of about a hundred different diseases - this is St. John's wort. It is a plant with variegated small yellow flowers, and can reach a height of one meter. It has been used as a component of various potions and decoctions since ancient times and is now very actively used in traditional 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 the point of view of medicine, 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 medical purposes. They prepare decoctions and infusions. For the treatment of skin inflammation, a decoction of the plant is added to the bath. St. John's wort roots are used to treat bone tuberculosis, dysentery.

John's wort is an excellent antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, as well as a diuretic and antihelminthic. It perfectly stops the blood, so it is used to treat wounds and injuries. Also, the plant is 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 drugs that are aimed at combating depression.

Despite all the useful substances contained in St. John's wort, it also contains toxic substances that have a large number of negative effects on the perception process, blood pressure rises.

Use as a tea or decoction

Currently, St. John's wort juice is practically not used to treat various diseases, because it is extremely difficult to obtain the required amount. For these reasons, the plant is commonly used as tinctures, decoctions, and teas.

A decoction of St. John's wort is used for oral administration, gargling, and also for treating skin inflammations. To prepare it, you need to take enameled dishes (resistant to high temperatures), grass and boiling water. It is necessary to observe the ratio of 200 ml of boiling water to 15 grams of dry grass. After that, the herb is brewed and put in a water bath for about 20 minutes, preventing the broth from boiling. Then sue the broth, strain and take during the day in equal portions.

St. John's wort can also be used as a tea. To do this, you need to take the usual black brewed tea. good quality, add St. John's wort to it, pour boiling water and leave to infuse 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. To improve the taste of the drink, you can add sugar, honey or jam to it.

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 in its composition, so there are restrictions on its intake.

• Firstly John's wort should not be used by pregnant women. Its use should be avoided breastfeeding. When taking it breast milk acquires a pronounced taste of bitterness and can be rejected by the baby.
• Secondly, you can not use this medicinal plant for hypertensive patients, since it helps to increase blood pressure.

St. John's wort also cannot be used in parallel with taking heart medications, antibiotics, contraceptives, since the effect of 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 drink medicines from the specified list, then you can achieve a negative result on the contrary.

A healthy person should also be careful about taking decoctions, tinctures, 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 drugs based on St. sunstroke. When using St. John's wort in small quantities, for a short period of time and without the absence of contraindications, you will not harm yourself.

St. John's wort is now used in medicine in the treatment of prostatitis to relieve swelling. However, it should be understood that the use of St. John's wort should occur only under the supervision of a doctor and a strictly defined time. Self-use without a doctor's prescription can have an extremely negative impact on male strength.

Violations in reception, an increase in the duration of its use in some cases can lead to the appearance of impotence, which is usually temporary. At the same time, after stopping taking drugs with St. John's wort, sexual dysfunction can be observed for a certain amount of time.

Contraindications during pregnancy

During pregnancy, significant functional changes occur in the body of a woman, the hormonal background changes. 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, drugs, 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 a drug, it has certain restrictions on the intake of children. The manufacturer on the packaging of St. John's wort indicates an age limit of 12 years.

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 decoction of grass to the bath for bathing. It allows you to remove the inflammatory manifestations on the skin of the child. In any case, when deciding on the use of 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

One of the most common medicinal plants is St. John's wort. Begins to bloom in June-August - small flowers appear yellow color. The grass itself can reach 70 cm in height. St. John's wort is harvested, as a rule, at the very beginning of flowering - since it is during this period that the content of useful substances in the grass reaches a peak.

Thanks to this healing herb, you can cure a lot of various diseases:

• SARS;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
• depression and neuroses.

Also, with the use of St. John's wort, dermatological ailments are treated - starting with light burns and ending with ulcerative lesions of the epidermis. Let us consider in detail the medicinal properties of St. John's wort, how to use the herb, in what forms of release it comes in, and other interesting information about the medicinal plant.

Composition of St. John's wort

So, let's consider, due to which substances St. John's wort becomes a reliable assistant in the treatment of many diseases:

If we talk about St. John's wort in general, then this herb has the following effects on the body:

• eliminates depression;
• promotes tissue regeneration;
• has a pronounced choleretic effect;
• promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body;
• has an analgesic effect;
• is an antihelminthic;
• able to get rid of alcohol addiction;
• excellent antiseptic.

In what cases is it relevant to use St. John's wort

Indications for use are the following conditions:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis;
• muscle or joint pain;
• infectious, viral diseases;
• ailments of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, the stomach and liver;
• diseases of the genitourinary sphere;
• hemorrhoids;
• depression, neuroses;
• skin problems - acne, acne;
• age-related changes in the form of wrinkles, loss of skin turgor;
• seborrheic dermatitis;
• cracks in the skin;
• alopecia (baldness).

Let's consider all the points in detail.

As mentioned above, the medicinal plant has proven itself very successfully in the beauty industry. This is due to the fact that St. John's wort perfectly fights age-related skin changes - such as nasolabial wrinkles, " crow's feet» in the eye area, loss of facial turgor. The herb is also used in the fight against seborrhea, to eliminate acne and comedones.

St. John's wort can be used in the following cases:

• very oily or too dry skin of the face;
• dandruff caused by seborrhea;
• fading of the skin of the face;
• cracked heels;
• baldness - helps prevent hair loss;
• pustular lesions of the skin.

Before use, be sure to consult a doctor - in order to know for sure if you have an individual intolerance to the medicinal herb.

What are the therapeutic properties of the plant?

Many call St. John's wort herb from 99 diseases - and this is true. Thanks to decoctions, tinctures, you can get rid of almost any disease, provided that you use the mixture regularly. You can make tinctures either on your own or purchase at a pharmacy.

Classical medicine: scope

In official medicine, both the dried herb itself and the various preparations that contain it are used.

Medicinal plant is relevant to use in the following diseases:

1. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. These include diarrhea, biliary dyskinesia, bloating, liver disease, etc.
2. Diseases of the oral cavity, such as stomatitis, inflammation and bleeding of the gums, tonsillitis.
3. Disorders of the nervous system. St. John's wort is prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, neurosis, depression accompanied by depression.
4. Skin diseases. There are special preparations that contain St. John's wort. They are used for purulent or infected wounds, burns, abscesses. It is noteworthy that even Staphylococcus aureus can be cured with the use of St. John's wort - despite the fact that the infection is resistant even to penicillin preparations.

Due to the fact that the medicinal herb contains special essential oils, it is possible to normalize intestinal motility and eliminate flatulence. Also, thanks to essential oils, a choleretic effect is achieved.

Numerous clinical studies have been conducted that have proven that regular use of St. John's wort decoction can get rid of depression. It is noteworthy that you can achieve an even more pronounced effect than when taking mild antidepressants. At the same time, the harmful effects on the liver and other organs will be much lower. Preparations, which contain St. John's wort, eliminate disturbing thoughts, contribute to the normalization of the general emotional state, and also improve mood.

Traditional medicine: scope

Important: positive dynamics during therapy can be achieved only if a person knows his diagnosis exactly, he knows the treatment method and is sure that he has no contraindications to the use of St. John's wort. If the case is neglected, or there are concomitant ailments, in such cases, alternative methods of therapy should be combined with traditional medicine, and the technique must be approved by the doctor.

• heartburn, accompanied by flatulence;
• gastritis with low or high acidity;
• heart rhythm disturbances - tachycardia or arrhythmia;
• burn lesions of the skin;
• various viral and infectious diseases;
• ailments of the central nervous system, in the first place - depression;
• sinusitis;
• alcoholism and other addictions.

How is the herb used?

You can meet St. John's wort in the following forms:

• alcohol tincture;
• tincture on water;
• decoction;
• tea with healing properties;
• ointment.

Very popular are the means, which include not only St. John's wort, but also other medicinal plants. As a result, we get a synergy effect - herbs multiply each other's action, which allows you to heal much faster.

You can also make a healing decoction or tincture at home - it will not be difficult, and the manufacturing method is indicated on any package. You can buy St. John's wort either in bulk or in filter bags. Experts say that it is much more convenient to take a medicinal plant in bulk, since the bags are intended for making healing tea. If you know exactly what St. John's wort looks like - you can easily collect it yourself, the plant often lives in the wild. However, it must be remembered that grass should be collected away from highways, factories - there the plants are saturated with harmful substances, therefore, the decoction of them will no longer be so healing.

Collection is carried out when the plant begins to bloom. You need to cut the grass as close to the ground as possible. Next - you need to dry the St. John's wort. To do this, it is divided into bundles, and hung upside down. The best option is to dry the plant under a canopy - this is due to the fact that it is necessary to avoid exposure to sunlight.

Are there any contraindications for use?

St. John's wort should not be used constantly, as this can cause allergic reactions in the form of urticaria, and in men, in some cases, impotence. Women should also remember that treatment with St. John's wort can significantly reduce the effect of contraceptives, which is fraught with unwanted pregnancy.

It is also not worth taking medicinal herbs in large quantities, as this can cause the following negative consequences:

• Strong headache;
• nausea;
• vomit.

Due to the fact that St. John's wort is negatively combined with antibiotics, you should not take tinctures and decoctions if a person has a high temperature.

During pregnancy, treatment with St. John's wort is not prescribed, since this can provoke a miscarriage even in healthy woman. Also, you do not need to use this medicinal plant if a person has high blood pressure.

The following precautions should be observed during treatment with St. John's wort:

1. Do not drink strong coffee, as well as alcoholic beverages.
2. In order to achieve a pronounced therapeutic effect, it is advisable to eat healthy food, and forget smoked meats, sweets, pickles for a while.
3. St. John's wort is not taken if antidepressants have already been prescribed by the doctor. St. John's wort in itself is such, so the therapy can come to negative consequences. Many patients reported confusion, anxiety, restlessness, etc.
4. St. John's wort tea is actively used for diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, cholelithiasis, etc. But it is worth remembering that everything should have its own measure - with excessive use of St. John's wort, stomach cramps and bloating can occur.
5. St. John's wort should be used with anesthetic drugs only as directed by a doctor, with caution. This is due to the fact that the herb can change the effect of drugs - it will either disappear or last longer.
6. With prolonged treatment, constipation, bitterness in the mouth, and loss of appetite are possible.

Contraindications for use

Consider in which cases it is better to refuse treatment with St. John's wort:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• nephritis;
• when using drugs that affect blood clotting;
• if you plan to sunbathe - grass increases sensitivity to ultraviolet rays.

St. John's wort during pregnancy: benefit or harm

We all know perfectly well that women in a position are forced to give up medicines- due to the fact that they can cause significant harm to the fetus. That is why many future mothers turn to medicinal herbs - as you know, most of them are not dangerous, they do not cause allergic reactions.

However, even at first glance, safe herbs can be detrimental to a pregnant woman. It is to this group of funds that St. John's wort belongs. Of course, this plant has a mass positive qualities- it fights many diseases, acts as a prophylactic, it can be used in complex therapy. St. John's wort copes with depression, diseases of the stomach and biliary tract.

The grass contains a special substance called hyperin. It also helps to eliminate depression and improve mood. Nicotinic acid allows you to establish metabolic processes, is responsible for the digestibility of protein. Thanks to St. John's wort, you can also strengthen the walls of blood vessels. It seemed - one benefit for a pregnant woman, what's the catch?

The fact is that the medicinal plant has the ability to increase blood pressure - this is harmful for the expectant mother. But this factor is far from being the main one - the grass causes uterine contractions, which may well provoke a miscarriage, or cause irreparable damage to the health of the unborn baby. Therefore, if there is a desire to bear the child calmly and without unnecessary problems, it is better to refuse therapy with St. John's wort, or take the herb strictly according to the doctor's prescription, in no case exceeding the dosage.

Can St. John's wort be used to treat children?

As we have already seen, this herb is quite useful and effective, however, not every person should be treated with St. John's wort. Among the main contraindications are high blood pressure, as well as the period of pregnancy. From here, a quite adequate question is brewing - is it possible to treat young children with the use of decoctions and tinctures from St. John's wort?

All doctors say that it is possible to carry out therapy, but this must be done very carefully, in no case exceeding the prescribed dosage. The best option is to talk to the doctor in advance, perhaps he will prescribe a complex of herbs, due to which the concentration of St. John's wort will be reduced.

For children, it is useful to take St. John's wort during the harvest period - when there is a large amount of vegetables and fruits. It was at this time that, thanks to weak decoctions, it will be possible to avoid stomach problems - in children they often occur as a result of the abuse of fiber. Be sure to make sure that the baby is not allergic to medicinal herbs. Also, do not forget to consult a doctor.

Of course, St. John's wort is a medicinal plant, thanks to which you can get rid of many diseases. But it is worth remembering that everywhere you need to know the measure, and be careful - even if you use natural herbs for treatment. You can not take a decoction for people with hypertension, pregnant women, children St. John's wort is prescribed with caution. Even if you are sure that there are no contraindications, before starting therapy, you need to consult a doctor and make sure that you do not have an individual intolerance to the medicinal plant.

Video: useful properties and use of St. John's wort

Good day, dear readers!

In today's article, we will consider with you such a wonderful plant that has medicinal and other useful properties, like St. John's wort, as well as its beneficial features and contraindications, composition and treatment with St. John's wort. So…

St. John's wort (lat. Hypericum)- one of the most effective in therapeutic practice of plants. It grows up to 30-70 cm, blooms with small yellow flowers from June to September. Favorable habitats are dry meadows, river valleys and light forest glades.

In nature, there are several types of St. John's wort, growing both in the form of shrubs and small trees. St. John's wort (perforated) and St. John's wort tetrahedral are used in folk medicine. Outwardly and in healing properties, they differ slightly.

Its name "St. John's wort" was not accidental. This medicinal plant has the ability to increase the sensitivity of certain areas of animal skin to solar radiation. The first eyewitnesses were shepherds. They noticed that after eating St. John's wort, redness and itching appear on their light skin areas. Unhealed ulcers often occurred and glands became inflamed. Sometimes the consequences were quite strong, leading the animals even to death.

It is best to harvest St. John's wort from the beginning of flowering, cutting off leafy tops with inflorescences with garden shears. The collected raw materials must be dried in a well-ventilated place. Then place in a clean cloth bag and thresh with a stick to weed out the stems.

The chemical composition of St. John's wort

The unique combination of biologically active substances in the composition of St. John's wort allows it to be used in the treatment of:

Flavonoids- strengthen blood vessels, normalize gastric peristalsis, increase the outflow of bile and reduce blood clotting. Also, they have a diuretic and antiviral effect;

Essential oil(azulene, resinous substances, phytoncides) - has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, tissue regenerating, expectorant and sedative (sedative) properties, and also accelerates metabolism in the human body;

Phytoncides- suppress the reproduction of pathogenic fungi and;

Tannins- have astringent, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and bactericidal properties;

Saponins- increase the secretion of glands, thin and remove sputum from the bronchi, reduce the amount of cholesterol plaques in the blood, have a diuretic, laxative and sedative effect. But, an excess of these substances irritates the mucous membranes of the digestive organs, which can lead to disorders such as -, and;

hypericin, hyperforin- have a sedative and hypnotic effect improve the functioning of the nervous system;

Hypericum overdose

An overdose of St. John's wort can be even if you drink too strong tea containing this plant or use several dietary supplements and teas with St. John's wort at the same time. This intake of St. John's wort can adversely affect the intestinal microflora and the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus. For example, even an absolutely healthy person can develop gastritis from too steep tea.

St. John's wort is considered a slightly toxic medicinal plant, therefore, with prolonged use of the herb, an unpleasant sensation in the liver area and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth may develop. Also, it can lead to a decrease in appetite.

For men, violations in the intake of St. John's wort or an increase in the length of time in some cases can lead to the appearance of impotence, although it is mostly temporary. After discontinuation of drugs with St. John's wort, sexual dysfunction usually recovers, but may be observed for some more time.

When using this plant in small quantities, for a short period of time and without the absence of contraindications, you will not harm yourself.

Important! Before using traditional methods of treatment with St. John's wort, be sure to consult with your doctor!

St. John's wort tea. St. John's wort tea is recommended to be brewed in a porcelain teapot, but before use, scald the teapot with boiling water. Take about 10 g of dried leaves and flowers of St. John's wort and pour 200 ml of boiling water over them. Let stand for a few minutes and the tea is ready. Drink fresh tea only. St. John's wort tea is a healthy and tonic drink. It is also drunk for digestive disorders and to calm depression, anxiety and poor sleep ().

Hypericum decoction. Place 10 g of St. John's wort in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of boiling water, close the lid and heat in a water bath for 30 minutes. Cool the product for 10 minutes at room temperature, strain and squeeze. Bring the volume of the broth with boiled water to 200 ml. Store in a cool place, but no more than 2 days.

Hypericum tincture. Pour dry and finely ground St. John's wort grass with 40% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5. After the remedy, set aside for infusion for 2 weeks, then strain. The shelf life of this tincture is 4 years.

St. John's wort oil. Take 20-25 g of fresh crushed leaves and flowers of St. John's wort, fill them with 200-250 g of olive oil (you can use sunflower or linseed oil). Insist 2-3 weeks in a warm place, stirring constantly, then strain through 2-3 layers of gauze. Store in a dark glass container.

St. John's wort ointment. 1 part St. John's wort alcohol tincture, mix thoroughly with 4 parts of melted butter. Store in refrigerator.

Recipes for the use of St. John's wort for medicinal purposes

At . If gastritis is accompanied by severe pain, then the use of herbal collection is possible. Take one part of meadowsweet grass, and St. John's wort. Put the collection in a dry jar and mix with a wooden spoon. To prepare the product, 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the collection into a teapot and fill it with 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 1 hour and drink 0.5 cup 5 times a day before meals.

At . Take and mix 1 tbsp. a spoonful of St. John's wort, cudweed and. Pour in 1 liter of water. Let stand 2 hours. Drink warm, 0.5 cups (100 ml) 30 minutes before a meal or when you have heartburn.

With vitiligo - infusion. Take 1 teaspoon of dried St. John's wort, put in a faience teapot and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 30 minutes, strain. Take 1 tbsp. spoon in the morning, afternoon and evening before bed for 3 weeks. Next, take a break - 8 days and repeat the course of treatment. In total, do 8 treatment courses for 3 weeks with breaks of 8 days.

With vitiligo - ointment. Collect fresh St. John's wort flowers and pack them into a glass jar up to the shoulders. Drizzle with cold-pressed vegetable oil (olive is best). Expose to the sun for 2 weeks. After that, collect fresh St. John's wort flowers again, pack them tightly in a jar and pour in the squeezed oil from the first portion. Let it brew for 2 weeks. Again, collect the flowers in a jar and pour the squeezed oil from the second portion. Do this 5 times. The last time the oil will turn into a thick viscous liquid, which resembles a cream in consistency. Lubricate the spots of vitiligo with this cream once a day and leave until completely absorbed (for 30 minutes). You can then rinse with warm water.

At . For the treatment of sinusitis with St. John's wort, it is necessary to wash the nasal sinuses (sinuses). Before washing, drip vasoconstrictor drops into the nose to relieve swelling and free access to healing water to the sinuses. To prepare the product, you need to pour 1 teaspoon of St. John's wort with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for about 10 minutes, strain. Rinse your nose with warm decoction 2-3 times a day. Washing can be done with a syringe without a needle: tilt your head over the sink, draw a decoction into the syringe and spit it into the nostril that releases liquid. After the procedure, blow your nose well with both nostrils at once. The course of treatment is 7 days.

At . 15 g of dried St. John's wort pour 0.5 liters of vodka. Insist 2 weeks in a dark place. Then strain and take 30 drops 3 times a day with water.

At . Warm a small amount of St. John's wort oil and saturate a soft cloth with it. Apply to a sore throat, and wrap it with compress paper on top and wrap it warmly. Do this procedure at night, and in the morning wash the area where the compress was applied with warm water and soap. Such a warming procedure is effectively done on the chest.

At , and . When using tincture of St. John's wort in the form of rinses. To prepare a remedy, dilute 25 drops of tincture in a glass of warm water. Gargle 5 times a day.

Also, to rinse the sore throat, you can use this recipe: 1 teaspoon of salt and 10 drops of iodine and 20 drops of St. John's wort tincture. Rinse also 5 times a day.

With a cold. 1 st. mix a spoonful of raspberry leaves (in dried form) with the same amount of St. John's wort and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Let stand 20 minutes and strain. Mix with lemon juice and a teaspoon. Drink at night. In the morning you will feel much better.

In folk medicine, it is difficult to find a medicinal plant that is used more often than St. John's wort, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which were described by the famous Soviet herbalist Mikhail Nosal. An experienced herbalist called the plant a remedy for ninety-nine diseases. Without it, as Mikhail Andreevich noted, the treatment of many diseases of children and adults is not complete. The plant can be used independently, but more often it is included in the complex of phytotherapeutic fees.

Features of Hypericum perforatum

By name, the culture is associated with a dangerous one, capable of “beating animals”. In fact, the plant is absolutely safe in its natural habitat, non-toxic. Its name comes from the Kazakh term "dzherabay", which means "wound healer".

St. John's wort or common is included in a large family of St. John's wort. The term "perforated" arose from the external features of the culture. Spots of resinous juice form on its leaves. When illuminated by the sun, these spots refract light in such a way that they appear to be holes.

Description

Hypericum perforatum. Botanical illustration from O. V. Tome's book "Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz", 1885.

A perennial herbaceous plant has a thin but powerful rhizome that can germinate to great depths. Every year in the autumn the upper grassy part dries up, and grows again in the spring. Several thin stems rise from the root. At the beginning of development, they attract attention with a rich green color, as the growing season becomes reddish-brown. The height of the stems is different. Some bushes grow no more than forty centimeters, others grow up to one meter.

The stem is smooth but uneven. Periodic interstices and edges are noticeable on it. According to the latter, you can accurately determine the type of plant. The perforated St. John's wort has two faces, they are located strictly opposite, and in relation to the internodes, clearly at an angle of ninety degrees.

The question of what St. John's wort looks like is important when planning harvesting. The culture is very similar to the closest "relatives" from the St. John's wort family. Nine species grow in our country at once.

They are distinguished by a number of features:

• spotted - has four ribs (faces) on each stem;
• rough - the stem is covered with small hairs, but there are no ribs on it at all;
• mountain - the stem is pubescent with rare whitish needles, no ribs.

As the stem grows, periodic leaves cover it. They are located infrequently, strictly opposite, elliptical or oval in shape. The leaves are small, grow up to three centimeters in length, reach one and a half centimeters in width. Characteristic points of a resinous substance are “scattered” along their plane, because of which the leaves look full of holes.

St. John's wort blooms with bright golden yellow flowers, collected in inflorescences in the form of a shield or panicle. You can specify the type of culture during the flowering period. If you rub the golden flower between your fingers, the skin turns red.

The flowering period of each plant is long, about one month. General period St. John's wort blooms in the summer months - from June to August. Then boxes are formed on the stems - receptacles of seeds. They are egg-shaped, consist of three wings. By the end of September, all stems are covered with such boxes.

Geography and distribution

Where St. John's wort grows is well known to herbalists. This unpretentious culture is often found in sunny areas. She prefers clearings well lit by the sun, edges, meadows, often adjacent to young pines in the undergrowth. You can meet grass along the roads, under the fences of suburban areas, in abandoned fields.

In Russia, it grows within the boundaries of the temperate climatic zone to Siberia, Baikal and Transbaikalia. But more often it grows in thickets in the warm regions of the Caucasus, Crimea.

In the natural environment, St. John's wort grows freely and actively in the Volgograd and Pskov regions. The areas of its distribution are noted in the Krasnodar Territory, in Altai and in the Stavropol Territory. There are also allotted plantations where the culture is harvested centrally for the needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Collection and preparation

The medicinal properties of the herb St. John's wort largely depend on the time of its collection. The period for harvesting determines the time interval of flowering of the culture until the moment of fruit formation. Collect the upper part of the plant, capturing stems no more than thirty centimeters long. Hard shoots are left on the root.

During the collection, it is necessary to use secateurs, braids and other cutting tools. This is important for preserving the root system of the crop in the ground, from which new shoots will develop next year. Pulling out a plant with a root leads to its extermination, a decrease in the population and a decrease in the quality of raw materials. You should also periodically save stems with flowers for seed propagation on the site.

Harvested raw materials are formed into bags and bales, quickly delivered to the place of drying. There they are laid out on paper under a canopy, scattered in a thin layer up to seven centimeters and left to dry. As the harvest progresses, the grass must be turned and turned over. St. John's wort is ready when its stems break easily.

Composition and properties

According to phytotherapeutist Mikhail Nosal, the question of why St. John's wort is useful should be considered widely. In addition to the fact that this plant has an exceptional composition and is ahead of most other medicinal crops in its value, it retains its healing qualities for a long time.

Mikhail Andreevich compared the therapeutic power of St. John's wort with healing strawberries. But, according to the scientist, the value of grass is higher, since strawberries can be used only three months a year, during the fruiting period. The use of St. John's wort is possible throughout the year, since its chemical composition remains practically unchanged after drying.

The composition of phyto raw materials is well studied. The main components are tannins, their volume in raw materials reaches thirteen percent. The content of resinous substances is high - up to seventeen percent. Flavanoids are recognized as important elements - rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, as well as carotenes and ascorbic acid are identified in the composition.

Recent studies have revealed other previously unknown compounds. It has been established that St. John's wort contains steroid substances and the antibiotic hyperforin. Such a rich natural complex is a rarity among medicinal plants, which is why the healing properties of St. John's wort are so extensive.

• Anti-inflammatory. The main action of the medicinal plant, provided by tannins. In this capacity, decoctions and infusions are used both internally and externally. Hyperoside, which is part of the plant, activates the production of the enzyme lipoxygenase. This substance is involved in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes - cells involved in the suppression of the inflammatory process and allergic reactions.
• Antimicrobial. The antibiotic hyperforin has an antibacterial effect. It is the main active component of the antimicrobial and wound healing agent "Novoimanin", used to treat infected wounds and abscesses, and to treat the upper respiratory tract during acute inflammatory processes. A few years ago, scientists identified another property of hyperforin. The substance has an antitumor effect and, as such, is promising for science and the pharmaceutical industry.
• Antiviral. Provided by a number of active substances in the composition of St. John's wort. Proven effective against several viruses, including avian influenza and AIDS. The activity is due to the presence of the substance hypericin. In 2005, its properties were experimentally proven to inhibit a whole range of the most important enzymes in the human body that have antiviral and antitumor activity.
• Antidepressant. St. John's wort is included in the cohort of herbal antidepressants, the benefits of which are evaluated by official medicine. During recent years conducted at least thirty studies, which involved almost five and a half thousand people suffering from mild to moderate depression. Treatment with St. John's wort for depression provided no less noticeable effect than with the use of standard synthetic antidepressants. At the same time, the number of side effects was less. In particular, in patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, which are often observed in depressive states, there was a positive effect of therapy on the cardiovascular system. Other trials have confirmed the effectiveness of the herbal remedy in the treatment of anxiety and self-imposed disorders.
• Therapeutic. The general healing effect that the herbal preparation performs in the body is noted in a number of ways. Therefore, the question of what St. John's wort treats should be considered comprehensively. It has a slight sedative effect, stops bleeding. In patients with epilepsy, it reduces the likelihood of a seizure. Substances quercetin, kaempferol and biapeginin work as neuroprotectors in coronary disease, support the heart. Phytopreparation reduces the intensity of colitis, reduces the manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome. The extract stimulates the immune system, reduces the manifestations of menopausal conditions.

The latest research has confirmed that taking St. John's wort tablets reduces the need for nicotine. This allows us to consider it as an important component of tobacco dependence therapy.

The substance hypericin is not preserved during harvesting of the plant. It is found only in the fresh juice of St. John's wort. It has been established that hypericin has a photosensitizing effect, which can be used in radiation therapy of tumor diseases. When introduced into the body, the substance selectively accumulates in cancer cells, which become obvious targets for exposure to rays.

The use of St. John's wort

St. John's wort is widely used in folk medicine. It is used to treat acute and chronic diseases of an inflammatory, pathological nature.

Decoction for the stomach

Traditionally used for the stomach, as a remedy for colitis. The decoction helps in the treatment of acute and chronic gastroenterocolitis, has a healing effect in the presence of ulcerative formations.

Cooking

1. Place ten grams of grass (a tablespoon with a slide) in an enameled container.
2. Pour boiling water with a volume of two hundred milliliters.
3. Simmer over low heat for ten minutes.

It should be taken thirty minutes before meals. Dosage - one third of a glass three times a day.

Tea for liver disease

For liver diseases, impaired bile flow, chronic diarrhea, it is recommended to brew tea from St. John's wort. The drink has an astringent, bitter taste.

Cooking

1. Put a tablespoon of dried herb in a cup.
2. Fill with boiling water with a volume of two hundred milliliters.
3. Leave to brew for ten to fifteen minutes.

Drink tea chilled half an hour before meals. Take it in a quarter cup up to four times a day.

Antiseptic infusion

St. John's wort tincture has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. The substances included in it are especially active against staphylococci, including those resistant to penicillin. It is used for external treatment of infected, poorly healing wounds, ulcers, burn surfaces. It is used for rinsing in dentistry with gingivitis, stomatitis. In gynecology, it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent for vaginitis, colpitis.

Cooking

1. Place three tablespoons of raw materials in a glass container.
2. Leave covered for two hours.
3. Strain.

Antiseptic infusion is used to wipe the affected skin surfaces, treat the mucous membranes, and the oral cavity. For treatments of the vagina, douching is carried out. The infusion is used in cosmetology as a remedy for acne, acne, oily skin. To combat inflammation, the skin is wiped with swabs dipped in a therapeutic agent twice a day.

Infusion for cough

The agent has an anti-inflammatory effect, it is recommended for bronchitis, tracheitis, inflammatory processes in other parts of the respiratory system.

Cooking

1. Pour a tablespoon of the herb into a cup.
2. Pour boiling water with a volume of two hundred and fifty milliliters.
3. Leave to brew, strain.

Alcohol tincture

It is not prepared at home, it is used industrially. The pharmaceutical industry extracts St. John's wort extract from coarsely ground grass, which is fixed with 70% alcohol in a ratio of one to ten. Used internally and externally.

Treatments of the oral cavity allow you to fight bad breath and strengthen the gums. To do this, it is necessary to rinse the oral cavity with a solution of thirty drops of alcohol tincture per one hundred milliliters of warm water.

Inside alcohol tincture is prescribed for cystitis, enterocolitis and cholelithiasis. Drink thirty drops, diluted in water, thirty minutes before meals three times a day.

St. John's wort oil

A delicate form of a remedy for healing wounds, large burn surfaces, various skin lesions.

Cooking

1. Pour one part of the flowers without stems into the container.
2. Fill with one part of alcohol (250 milliliters of alcohol with a strength of forty percent is required per liter jar).
3. Pour two parts of sunflower oil (half a liter of oil is needed per liter of product).
4. Leave to brew for three days in a dark place.
5. Pour into a saucepan, boil over low heat until the alcohol and water have completely evaporated.
6. Strain hot.

St. John's wort oil has wound healing and antiseptic properties. Softens the skin, stimulates its regeneration. Can be used for hair as a means of stimulating growth. Lubricate the scalp with oil three times a week. After an hour, the product should be washed off with warm water and rinsed with shampoo.

The drug "Novoimanin"

It is an extract of St. John's wort in the form of a reddish-yellow oily mass. Smells like honey. It has antibacterial activity, therefore it is used to treat infectious diseases. When sinusitis is used to treat the sinuses in the form of a ten percent solution, it is prepared at the rate of: one part of the drug per ten parts of distilled water.

Contraindications

When using all dosage forms of the plant, the contraindications of St. John's wort should be taken into account. “In its pure form, grass is rarely used,” says herbalist Andrey Varenikov. “You can appreciate all its wonderful properties in the form of combined fees.”

The famous phytotherapist Mikhail Nosal adhered to the same opinion. In his book Medicinal Plants and Methods of Their Use among the People, recipes for more than ten anti-inflammatory preparations are indicated, in which, along with St. John's wort, chamomile, bearberry, oregano, elderberry and other herbs are used. “If you don’t have a lot of herbs at hand, you can combine St. John’s wort with sandy immortelle,” recommends Mikhail Andreevich. “This collection has an anti-inflammatory effect and is good for the liver.”

For external use, the product has no contraindications and can be used for a long time. Internal use requires caution. It is noted that with prolonged use, the plant increases pressure and stimulates the narrowing of blood vessels.

According to the observation of herbalists, the culture provokes the production of male hormones in the body. In women, this can lead to menstrual irregularities, facial hair growth, and oily skin. St. John's wort for men is dangerous for the development of secondary impotence, which is characterized by premature ejaculation. With prolonged use, overexcitation, fatigue, anxiety are observed.

Although medicinal properties Herbs St. John's wort are well described in the medical literature, science continues to study this medicinal plant. Its potential as an antiviral agent, an auxiliary element of antitumor therapy has been proven. The people use culture widely and often. The greatest positive effect is achieved in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the skin and internal organs. In its pure form, the phytopreparation should be taken with caution, in short courses. In the form of medicinal preparations, the remedy is recommended for the treatment of diseases of the liver, kidneys, respiratory tract, and stomach.

Lactation is a responsible and difficult period for new mothers. The woman's body is weakened, there is too little time left for sleep in the first months. As a result, there is chronic fatigue and irritability - the first harbingers of depression. Often, in search of an effective and safe sedative, lactating women turn to the gifts of nature.

St. John's wort is a powerful medicinal plant that is used to prevent and treat stress conditions, as well as many other diseases. Can St. John's wort while breastfeeding? More on this later.

general information

Dry raw materials, oil, tablets, St. John's wort tinctures can be purchased at any pharmacy. The chemical composition of St. John's wort (perforated):

• tocopherol;
• routine;
• essential oil;
• resins;
• tannins;
• mineral salts;
• organic acids;
• carotenoids;
• alkaloids, etc.

Due to the complex action of the components, the phytopreparation has huge amount therapeutic properties. The plant normalizes digestion, has a diuretic (diuretic), cleansing effect. It improves the functioning of the nervous system, blood supply to tissues, makes blood vessels stronger, relieves pain.

Hyperforin and hypercin (phytochemical compounds) help fight stress. Antidepressants not only restore vital activity, but also stimulate the immune system. In addition, hypercin is effective against certain viruses.

St. John's wort is a powerful medicinal plant that is prescribed for the treatment of the following diseases:

• An autoimmune inflammatory disease of the connective tissue that affects the joints. To treat the disease, oil is used, which is rubbed into diseased joints.
• Infectious diseases of viral, bacterial origin. A decoction, tablets, tinctures are used.
• Xeroderma (dry skin). For treatment, oil is used, thanks to which cells are renewed, blood circulation in the capillaries at the surface of the skin is accelerated, as a result, the skin is moisturized.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder in mild or moderate form. Phytopreparation relieves the symptoms of this disease, eliminates anxiety, anxiety.
• Mild or moderate stress conditions. St. John's wort helps to increase the amount of serotonin (hormone of happiness) in the body.
• . Medicinal plant facilitates falling asleep, eliminates depression, anxiety.

St. John's wort is used as part of the complex treatment of gastritis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, cystitis, etc.

Application methods

The most versatile dosage form is a dry herb, from which decoctions, infusions, and oils are prepared.

To prepare a decoction, take 25 g of dry raw materials, pour boiling water over it (200 ml) and boil for a couple of 5 minutes. Before use, the liquid must be filtered.

To make tea healing, add 3-5 g of St. John's wort per 1 liter of tea leaves.

To prepare an alcohol tincture - pour 400 g of St. John's wort flowers with vodka, cover with a lid, leave for 14 days.

You can also make butter at home. To do this, take 400 g of dried flowers, pack them in a jar to leave free space, and then pour olive, sunflower or other vegetable oil. Cover the jar with a lid, leave for 14 days in a bright place. Then squeeze the oil from the flowers, add the same amount of dry raw materials, leave again for 14 days. Repeat for 5 more cycles, and then squeeze the oil from the flowers and apply.

Recipes based on St. John's wort:

• Diseases of the stomach, diarrhea. Pour 25 g of dry grass with water (200 ml), put on low heat and boil for 15 minutes. Cool, filter, consume three times 30 minutes before meals.
• stressful conditions. Prepare a decoction classic recipe, consume three times in 24 hours.
• Cold with cough. To prepare a rinse, mix 25 g of grass with propolis, pour 200 ml of boiling water. Then filter and use twice 100 ml at a time.
• Violation of skin pigmentation due to the disappearance of melanin (vitiligo). Rub St. John's wort oil into the skin (the recipe is described above).

Before using a medicinal plant, consult a doctor.

Precautionary measures

St. John's wort is a poisonous plant, which must be used with extreme caution.

It is contraindicated in the following cases:

• Phototherapy (treatment with infrared or ultraviolet radiation);
• Alcoholism;
• Functional disorders of the kidneys;
• Hypersensitivity to the components of St. John's wort.

In addition, the plant is prohibited during lactation and pregnancy, as it causes developmental disorders in the child. Plant-based preparations are contraindicated in children under 12 years of age; for external use, a decoction is used from 5 years of age. Phytopreparation is dangerous for men, as it can provoke impotence.

Decoctions, infusions are not recommended for patients with weakened immune systems, chronic or acute diseases. St. John's wort is forbidden to combine with anticonvulsants, anticoagulants. This restriction applies to the combination of St. John's wort with oral contraceptives, as the likelihood of an unplanned pregnancy increases.

If you experience the above symptoms, stop taking the medicinal plant and consult your doctor.

St. John's wort while breastfeeding

As doctors say, St. John's wort is contraindicated in HB. This is due to the fact that the plant contains toxic components that have a negative effect on the newborn. Due to the use of a herbal medicine by a lactating woman, there may be disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory and digestive systems of the child. In addition, the plant can adversely affect the intellectual development of the baby.

Thus, St. John's wort is prohibited for nursing mothers, as it contains toxic substances that threaten the health of the newborn. If necessary, a lactating woman can use the plant, but only for medical reasons and under the strict supervision of a doctor. Natural feeding at the time of treatment must be stopped.