Saint John's Wort an herb for depression

Saint John's Wort an herb for depression

St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum, is a member of the St. John family, Hypericaceae. It is native to Europe but now naturalized in North America, Australia, where it is grown for medicine and elsewhere. To distinguish it from other members of the family, it is often called Common St. John's wort.

St. John's wort is a weed that grows along the roadside in the fields and wasteland. It can form large colonies in the areas receiving abundant sunlight. In some areas is growing so well that itas an invasive weed. This is the horror of the farmers and shepherds, because animals get sick from eating this weed can. It is a perennial plant that grows 1:59 meters. The aerial parts die back to the ground in winter and the perennial root system sends new shoots the following spring.

"Stand Mixer"

The leaves form a cross pattern seen from above with two elongated oval leaves opposite each other and perpendicular to the sheet placed above and below them. The leaves aresessile and all with blunt rounded ends. Oil stains can be used as translucent areas in leaves held against the light, the Latin name, be perforatum.

Bright yellow flowers occur in branched, terminal clusters. Each flower is radially symmetrical about an inch wide and has five petals. Each petal has conspicuous black spots on the edges. Numerous stamens in three clumps make the flowers appear bushy. St. John's is so named because it about 24 June at the Saint flowersJohn the Baptist's birthday. The facility is at this time for the flowers that are used in herbal teas or extracts harvested. The flowering season lasts all summer to autumn.

The flowers and stems can make the yellow and red dyes. The seed capsules are oval reddish-brown capsules are used to make a red dye.

Externally, a wash is used with St. John's, to clean wounds and to accelerate the healing of cuts, wounds and bruises. It has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.It is also used as a hair rinse after shampooing.

St. John's wort is probably effective against mild to moderate depression, but it can not work for all types of depression. It improves mood and reduces anxiety and insomnia linked to depression. It is often prescribed in Germany for this reason. A herbal tea or extract oil can be used as a mild sedative and muscle relaxant action, to exert its beneficial activity. It may take up to three months for the use of herbs to feel the impact.

TheConstituents hypericin, pseudo-hypericin and hyperforin may be the active ingredients of the sedative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties presented experimentally. It has serious side effects, and may make other drugs more or less potent than together. Light sensitivity is a possible result of taking this herb either internally or externally.