Healing properties of such plants as St. John's wort have been discovered even in ancient times.
The grass was used to protect against evil spirits, the treatment of various ailments and severe diseases.
Modern science has made it possible to discover and significantly expand the list of useful properties of St. John's wort, the presence of which is determined by the saturated chemical composition.
Chemical composition of St. John's wort: benefit and harm of components
The plant includes many useful substances, which give the herb healing properties. Among them:
• vitamin E or tocopherol, which serves as a defense for the body from the formation of free radicals;
• vitamin A or carotene has a beneficial effect on eyesight, is responsible for the active regeneration of skin cells, protects the body from the penetration of bacteria and viruses;
• vitamin PP is necessary in the body to maintain the normal functioning of the heart and the central nervous system;
• vitamin C and C complex in the structure are responsible for strengthening immunity, as well as the strength and strength of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, serve as a barrier to the transformation of normal cells of the body into cancer cells;
• tannins help to clean wounds from infections and germs, promote their early healing and relieve inflammation;
• rutin and hyperoside - substances that strengthen the vascular walls;
• Hyperforin and Hypericin - substances that can remove stress and have an antidepressant effect on the body;
• phytoncides - natural natural "antibiotics", which possess antimicrobial properties.
This combination of ingredients in the composition makes it possible to use the St. John's wort as a medicine for various diseases.
The healing properties of St. John's wort: a benefit for the body
In nature, there are several varieties of St. John's wort, but for medicinal purposes a species of St. John's wort is used. The plant has such useful properties:
• astringent;
• anti-inflammatory;
• the ability to stop bleeding;
• wound healing;
• choleretic;
• diuretic;
• antiseptic;
• antidepressant;
• expectorant;
• antihelminthic;
• antibacterial;
• antirheumatic;
• analgesic property.
St. John's wort is appropriate to be treated in such cases:
1. Therapy for colds and viral diseases, including influenza, ARVI, tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media. In this case, substances such as saponins, essential oils, and vitamins are useful.
2. Removal of inflammation from the female reproductive organs.
3. Treatment and prevention of diseases of the organs of the cardiovascular system.
4. Elimination of inflammatory processes in the liver, treatment of viral hepatitis, gallbladder diseases such as cholecystitis or dyskinesia.
5. Treatment of diseases and removal of gum inflammation, healing of stomatitis.
6. Treatment and prevention of diseases of the digestive tract, which include ulcers, gastritis, colitis, heartburn, flatulence, low stomach acidity.
7. Has a therapeutic effect on the body due to bitterness, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals.
8. Regulates the imbalance of the nervous system, eliminates depression, neurosis, chronic fatigue, stress and psychosis.
9. St. John's wort can be an ingredient in drugs - antidepressants.
10. Effective healing of wounds, burns, cuts, acne rashes, hematomas, ulcers and abscesses, other damage to the external integument due to the provision of anesthetic, regenerative, anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
11. The plant is suitable for the treatment of tuberculosis. The substances in the composition act in a complex way on the body, provoking expectoration of sputum, relieving inflammation and increasing immunity.
12. St. John's wort has a positive effect on the male body, improving spermatogenesis and eliminating inflammation of the prostate gland.
13. Treatment of anemia thanks to the iron in the composition.
14. Cleansing the intestines from possible parasites.
15. Treatment of diseases of the bladder, including enuresis, cystitis, various inflammations, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis.
16. Elimination of malfunctions and pathologies of the nervous, circulatory, genitourinary, and digestive systems.
Ways of using St. John's wort: harm and benefit of ready-made drugs in folk medicine
A medicinal plant with very strong and pronounced properties can bring an organism and harm. Therefore, it should be used very carefully in home treatment, using proven recipes to prepare the preparations. The plant can be used fresh as an external remedy, as well as prepare in broths, ointments, infusions and other preparations. Of St. John's wort prepare:
1. Infusion - used to treat stomach diseases, including gastritis, colitis, cholelithiasis, to eliminate headaches, normalize the circulatory system and blood pressure. The drink is infused with 200 ml of boiling water and 30 g of crushed fresh plant. Take it before meals three times a day for 15 ml of elixir. An infusion for rinsing the oral cavity, creating a lotion for eliminating external skin damage is suitable.
2. decoction - a similar drink, only during cooking, it should be in a water bath for 30 minutes. It uses a decoction for washing, rinsing the hair, rubbing the skin. You can take the broth inside for intestinal diseases or diarrhea.
3. Tincture differs by the presence of a drug vodka or alcohol. The preparation is prepared in the ratio of grass and alcohol as 1: 10. During the reception, the medicine will need to be mixed with water in the proportion of 1 tsp. to 50 ml, respectively. Suitable tincture for rinses, inhalations, warming compresses.
4. Ointment suitable for healing of external and internal skin lesions. Ointment is prepared by mixing a choice of petroleum jelly, animal fat or baby cream with dry grass powder.
5. Зveranda tea - is used as a preventive agent, renders the body with a restorative effect, increases immunity.
Side effects from the use of St. John's wort and the harm of medicinal plants
The main contraindications and side effects of St. John's Wort are:
1. Increasing the sensitivity of the skin to UV rays. Therefore, during treatment, it is highly undesirable to be under sunlight.
2. It is not recommended to use St. John's wort for people with high blood pressure.
3. Patients after operations related to transplantation of any organ should not take St. John's wort.
4. The herb is incompatible with female contraceptive pills, as it weakens their effect.
5. With caution, you should combine the reception of St. John's wort with other antidepressants. This is especially true for the elderly and those who already have serious mental disorders.
By its nature, St. John's wort is a weakly toxic plant, which should not be used for a long period.