The healing properties of such a plant as St. John's wort were discovered in ancient times.
The grass was used to protect against evil spirits, to treat various ailments and serious illnesses.
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 rich chemical composition.
The chemical composition of St. John's wort: the benefits and harms of the components
The composition of the plant includes many useful substances that give the herb healing properties. Among them:
• vitamin E or tocopherol, which serves as a protection for the body from the formation of free radicals;
• vitamin A or carotene has a beneficial effect on vision, is responsible for the active regeneration of skin cells, protects the body from the penetration of bacteria and viruses;
• vitamin PP necessary in the body to maintain the normal functioning of the heart and central nervous system;
• vitamin C and C complex in the composition they are responsible for strengthening immunity, as well as the strength and strength of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, serve as a barrier to the conversion of normal body cells to cancer;
• tannins help cleanse wounds from infections and germs, contribute to their speedy healing and relieve inflammation;
• rutin and hyperoside - substances that strengthen the vascular walls;
• hyperforin and hypericin - substances that can relieve stress and have an antidepressant effect on the body;
• volatile - natural, natural "antibiotics" with antimicrobial properties.
This combination of components in the composition allows the use of the St. John's wort plant as a medicine for various diseases.
Medicinal properties of St. John's wort grass: benefits for the body
In nature, there are several varieties of St. John's wort, but a variety of St. John's wort is used for medicinal purposes. The plant has such useful properties:
• astringent;
• anti-inflammatory;
• ability to stop bleeding;
• wound healing;
• choleretic;
• diuretic;
• antiseptic;
• antidepressant;
• expectorant;
• anthelmintic;
• antibacterial;
• anti-rheumatic;
• analgesic property.
St. John's wort is appropriate to be treated in such cases:
1. Therapy of colds and viral diseases, including influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media. Substances such as saponins, essential oils, and vitamins are useful in this case.
2. Removal of inflammation from 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, diseases of the gallbladder, such as cholecystitis or dyskinesia.
5. The treatment of diseases and the removal of gum inflammation, the healing of stomatitis.
6. Treatment and prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which include ulcers, gastritis, colitis, heartburn, flatulence, low acidity of the stomach.
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 act as an ingredient in medications - antidepressants.
10. Effective healing of wounds, burns, cuts, acne, hematomas, ulcers and abscesses, other damage to the external integument due to the analgesic, regenerative, anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
11. Suitable plant for the treatment of tuberculosis. The substances in the composition act comprehensively 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 due to 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 in the functioning and pathologies of the nervous, circulatory, genitourinary, digestive systems.
Ways to use St. John's wort: the harm and benefits of finished drugs in traditional medicine
A medicinal plant with very strong and pronounced properties can bring harm to the body. Therefore, it should be used in home treatment very carefully, using proven recipes for cooking. The plant can be used fresh as an external agent, as well as prepared in decoctions, ointments, infusions and other drugs. From St. John's wort prepare:
1. Infusion - used to treat diseases of the stomach, including gastritis, colitis, cholelithiasis, to eliminate headaches, normalize the circulatory system and blood pressure. A drink of 200 ml of boiling water and 30 g of crushed fresh plant is infused. It is necessary to take 15 ml of elixir before meals three times a day. Suitable infusion for rinsing the oral cavity, creating lotions to eliminate external skin lesions.
2. Decoction - a drink similar to infusion, only in the process of preparation should it be in a water bath for 30 minutes. Broth is used for washing, rinsing hair, rubbing the skin. You can take a decoction inside with bowel disease or diarrhea.
3. Tincture It is distinguished by the presence of vodka or alcohol in the medicine. The preparation is prepared in the ratio of grass and alcohol as 1:10. During administration, the medicine will need to be mixed with water in a proportion of 1 tsp. 50 ml, respectively. Suitable tincture for rinsing, inhalation, warming compresses.
4. Ointment Suitable for healing external and internal damage to the skin. The ointment is prepared by mixing a choice of petroleum jelly, animal fat or baby cream with dry grass powder.
5. Cchamomile tea - It is used as a prophylactic, has a general strengthening effect on the body, and improves immunity.
Side effects from the use of St. John's wort and harm to a medicinal plant
The main contraindications and side effects of St. John's wort are:
1. Increasing skin sensitivity to UV rays. Therefore, in the process of treatment, it is extremely undesirable to be in sunlight.
2. It is not recommended to use St. John's wort to people with high blood pressure.
3. Patients after operations related to transplantation of any organ should not be taken with St. John's wort.
4. Incompatible grass with female birth control pills, as it weakens their effect.
5. Caution should be taken when taking 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 slightly toxic plant that should not be used for a long period.
