Hypericum perforatum

Description

St. John wort holed (St. John's wort perforated, St. John's wort common - lat. Hypericum perforatum D.) - herbaceous perennial rhizomatous plant with erect dihedral branched stems. The leaves are directly opposite, smelling, prolate-oval, with translucent point glands. The flowers are yellow, with a large number of stamens, fused threads in three bundles. A pistil with three columns, and a three-nest upper ovary. The fruit is a three-nosed, multi-seeded "box". Height 30 – 100 cm.

The time of flowering. June-July.

The part used. Grass (stems, leaves, flowers) and leaves.

Chemical composition

The herb contains the coloring substance hypericin, flavonoids hyperoside, rutin, quercitrin and quercetin, nicotinic acid, ceryl alcohol, tannins, a small amount of choline, carotene (up to 55 mg), ascorbic acid (vitamins C) and PP, traces of alkaloids and phytoncides. St. John's wort when rubbed has a peculiar pleasant smell and slightly astringent bitter-resinous taste.

Application

St. John's wort as a medicinal plant was known in Ancient Greece.  Folk medicine considers St. John's wort "a herb for ninety-nine diseases" and widely uses it, especially in mixtures of medicinal herbs, for the treatment of many diseases. The plant is used in folk medicine in many countries. St. John's wort has stypsis, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, wound healing, diuretic and choleretic effects. The plant excites the food craving, stimulates the excretory activity of various glands, promotes tissue regeneration( restoration), and has a calming effect on the nervous system.

Herbal infusion is used for women's diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (especially colitis and various diarrhea), pain in the stomach and intestines, liver, heart and bladder diseases, in particular with kidney stones, cystitis and involuntary night urination in children. The herb is also used as a sedative, analgesic for headaches and other nerve pain. An infusion of the herb is used as a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and anthelmintic.

In German folk medicine, the infusion of the plant is taken for various gastrointestinal diseases, edema, liver and kidney diseases, rheumatism, hemorrhoids and is used as a sedative for headaches, nervousness, restless sleep and nervous convulsions. Alcohol tincture of the plant in the form of drops is used inside for rheumatic diseases. Crushed fresh leaves applied to wounds help them heal quickly. Crushed grass, infused with vegetable oil and mixed with turpentine oil, rub the joints affected by rheumatism. Alcohol tincture, diluted with water, rinse the mouth to destroy the bad smell, clean tincture lubricate the gums to strengthen them.

The plant is a part of various medicinal preparations (diuretic, astringent and anti-rheumatic). St. John's wort is used in scientific medicine for colitis and kidney stones. Clinical studies have shown a good effect of etheric-alcohol tincture of the plant in acute and chronic colitis. A new preparation made from St. John's wort- Imanin for external use in burns (no disfiguring scars persist) and skin diseases, fresh and infected cancers, ulcers, boil, purulent inflammatory processes of the skin and acute rhinitis. An acute runny nose passes within a few hours after using imanin. The internal use of St. John's wort, as a toxic plant, requires caution; you can not take large doses of the plant. St. John's wort flowers can be used for dyeing fabrics: water infusion gives yellow paint, and hot depending on the concentration-pink and red paint.

Method of application

1. 10 g of dry herb St. John's wort brew in 1 glass of boiling water, insist. Take 1 tablespoon 2-4 times a day after meals.

2. 15-20 g of dry grass infuse in 1/2 liter of alcohol or vodka. Take 30 drops with water 3 times a day after meals.

3. Fresh leaves of St. John's wort and wild sage (take equally) rub with fresh lard, squeeze through cheesecloth. Store in a sealed jar. Use as an ointment for healing wounds and abrasions.

4. 20-30 drops of alcohol tincture of herbs add to 1/2 glass of water. Use for rinsing with bad breath.