St. John's wort: beneficial properties, contraindications, side effects, use of decoction, infusion for treatment

St. John's wort is a perennial plant belonging to the St. John's wort family. The seedling received its name because of its ability to cause severe poisoning in ruminants (especially white and light-spotted ones). However, St. John's wort has a healing effect on the human body. Based on it, many pharmacological, homeopathic, phytotherapeutic and cosmetic products are made.

St. John's wort is used to treat digestive, neurological, dermatological and gynecological disorders. Considering that the plant has a balsamic smell and a bitter-resinous taste, it is successfully used in alcoholic beverages and canned fish production.

Botanical description

Currently, there are more than 350 species of St. John's wort, which are distributed in subtropical and temperate latitudes: in Russia, Central Asia, Ukraine, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus mountains. However, only two varieties are of greatest pharmacological value: perforated (ordinary) and spotted (tetrahedral).

Content:

• Botanical description
• Chemical composition and beneficial properties
• Contraindications
• Application in traditional medicine
• Protecting women's health
• Use in folk medicine
• Application in cosmetology
• Conclusion

Favorite places for grass to grow are meadows, clearings, ravines, forest edges, and river slopes.

St. John's wort is easily recognized by its broad oval, hairless leaves with translucent “dots” of oil glands. They reach 3 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. If you look at the plant against the light, you can see many white “speckles” in its green parts (as if it has holes). This “effect” occurs due to the fact that the glandular cells are less dense than the main tissue of the leaf.

The stems of the crop are round, erect, with two longitudinal edges, 40-60 cm high. The flowers are large with a diameter of 2-3 cm, consisting of 5 star-shaped yellow petals. If you rub the corolla between your fingers, a substance will flow out of the glands, coloring your hands purple-violet. Obviously, this is why one of the popular names for the culture is “rabbit blood.”

The spotted St. John's wort, unlike the perforated one, has a tetrahedral stem, wide sepals that are not pointed and black glands on the leaves. Its corollas are collected into a loose paniculate inflorescence, inside of which there are numerous stamens (fused at the base).

The flowering period of St. John's wort is June-August, fruiting is July-September. When mowing it, re-formation of buds is possible (subject to high humidity).

For medicinal purposes, the branched part of the plant (stems, leaves, corollas, unripe fruits) is used, which is collected during the flowering season until the seed ovaries form. In this case, only the top of the shoots is cut off without coarse branches and rhizomes. To dry raw materials, it is better to choose a shaded, windless place in the fresh air. The shelf life of harvested grass is 3 years.

Remember, properly dried raw materials have a balsamic smell and a bitter-astringent taste.

Habitat

Where does St. John's wort grow? The plant is distributed in Western Europe, Africa, China, North America, as well as almost the entire territory of the CIS, including Belarus, Ukraine, the Caucasus, Western Siberia, and the southeastern mountainous part of Central Asia.

The habitat of St. John's wort is deciduous and pine forests, clearings, and forest belts. It can be found in forest clearings, edges, sandy, mountain slopes, hills, meadows, field edges, among bushes, along roadsides. Sometimes it forms sparse thickets.

St. John's wort is also cultivated as a medicinal plant.

Chemical composition and beneficial properties

The main bioactive component of St. John's wort is the coloring pigment hypericin. This substance has sedative and adaptogenic properties, which is why it is used as a “mild” antidepressant. Along with this, the plant contains phytoncides, tannins, flavonoids, vitamins, essential oils, aromatic resins, saturated fatty acids, micro- and macroelements.

Let's consider the medicinal properties of all components:

1. Vitamin C (L-ascorbate). Strengthens the immune system, reduces nervous excitement, accelerates the “maturation” of one’s own hormones, improves heart function, and promotes blood thinning.
2. Flavonoids (hyperoside, epigallocatechin, quercitrin, xanthones, quercetin, rutin, amentoflavone, myricetin, luteolin, kaempferol). The compounds have a powerful antispasmodic effect on the muscles of the ureters, blood vessels and bile ducts. Thanks to this, diuresis is enhanced, food digestibility is improved, the risk of stone formation is reduced, and the delivery of nutrients to tissues is accelerated. In addition, flavonoids dilate coronary arteries, strengthen capillary walls, and increase the activity of natural antitumor defense factors.
3. Carotenoids (violaxanthin, lutein, cis-trollixanthin). Neutralizes oxidative stress, accelerates the regeneration of mucous membranes and skin.
4. Phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, vanillic). Stimulate metabolic processes in the dermis, stabilize blood sugar levels, prevent damage to cellular DNA, and reduce the degree of oxidative stress.
5. Phytoncides (hyperforin, adhyperforin). Natural antibiotics that inhibit the growth of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi.
6. Tannins (pyrocatechol group). They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory, astringent and regenerative effect on the body (especially with inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa and burn wounds). Along with this, tannins have anthelmintic activity against proteolytic flora that are resistant to antibiotics.
7. B vitamins (nicotinamide, choline). They improve the psycho-emotional background, normalize the processes of transmission of nerve impulses to the brain, participate in carbohydrate metabolism, and stimulate the repair mechanisms of the mucous membranes.
8. Resinous substances. They have irritant, bactericidal, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.
9. Essential oils (2-methyloctane, limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, undecane, nonane, geraniol). They thin sputum (in the bronchi), increase diuresis, accelerate skin regeneration, eliminate cramps, activate the production of digestive juices, and suppress the vital activity of helminths.
10. Saturated fatty acids (isovaleric, myristic, palmitic, stearic). They reduce nervous excitement, participate in the synthesis of hormones, supply energy, and normalize the menstrual cycle.

The composition of the above-ground part of the plant includes macro- and microelements (potassium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, cobalt, calcium, nickel, molybdenum, selenium, cadmium), which have a positive effect on the human body.

Is it worth taking St. John's wort for vitiligo?

Studies of the plant have shown that St. John's wort has photosensitizing properties. Together with hypericin, these properties have shown to be effective in the treatment of vitiligo. This disease develops against the background of autoimmune processes and stress, as a result of diseases of the internal organs, due to which the level of melanin in the skin, which is responsible for the color of the epidermis, is significantly reduced. The use of St. John's wort helps restore immunity by improving the functioning of the digestive system and reducing the level of free radicals.

In addition, if St. John's wort juice is applied to areas of skin with a deficiency of pigment, and the treated areas are exposed to direct sunlight, then there is a high probability of accumulation of melanin in skin cells, which can reduce the severity of uneven color.

Contraindications

St. John's wort, like any medicinal plant, has a number of strict contraindications.

Medicinal herbs should not be combined with:

• antibiotics (to avoid vision deterioration);
• contraceptives (St. John's wort reduces the effectiveness of contraceptives);
• antidepressants;
• drugs that suppress the immune system during organ transplantation;
• antiepileptic drugs;
• cardiac glycosides.

In addition, St. John's wort should not be taken:

• children under 6 years old;
• pregnant women (nursing);
• people diagnosed with schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease;
• alcoholics;
• cancer patients (especially with estrogen-dependent tumors).

St. John's wort is generally well tolerated, but in 20% of cases it can cause an allergic reaction (from an itchy rash to anaphylactic shock).

Common side effects: dizziness, dry mouth, digestive disorders, urticaria, Quincke's edema. If these symptoms appear, stop taking the plant immediately (since each subsequent dose of the drug is fraught with a more severe allergy). In addition, St. John's wort is prescribed with caution to men, since the herb can cause temporary impotence.

Drug interactions

• Antidepressants - when used together with citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, aggravates hemolytic reactions, as well as serotonin syndrome - (irritability, anxiety, nausea, tremor, increased sweating, dizziness, headache), leading to exacerbation of the clinic, migraines, hallucinations, convulsions, and even to coma. Therefore, the interval between taking these drugs and St. John's wort should be more than 2 weeks.
• Antibiotics – accelerate the elimination of the drug from the body and weaken the antimicrobial effect.
• Anticoagulants – reduced effect, increases the risk of bleeding.
• Cyclosporine - reduces its concentration in the blood.
• Cardiac glycosides – weakening of effectiveness, reduces the concentration of digoxin in the blood.
• The drug "Indinavir", used for the treatment of HIV-infected people, reduces the concentration in the blood by 2 times.
• Anesthetics – their effect increases or decreases. Shortens sleep caused by drugs - barbiturates, and lengthens sleep caused by narcotic analgesics and drugs for general anesthesia.
• Theophylline - increases the rate of metabolism of theophylline.
• St. John's wort enhances the photosensitizing effect of drugs such as quinolones, thiazide diuretics, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, piroxicam, etc.

Thus, St. John's wort cannot be combined with these groups of drugs.

Application in traditional medicine

The healing properties of St. John's wort have been known since the time of the ancient Greek healer Hippocrates (in the 5th century BC). A medieval healer studied the diverse effects of herbs on the human body. He noticed that decoctions based on St. John's wort have pronounced anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and antidepressant effects.

In his writings, Hippocrates described the medicinal value of the plant, its scope and methods of therapy. After the 21st centuries, St. John's wort was actively used by almost all healers in the world. For example, by the time the first colonists arrived in America in 1584, the indigenous people already knew about the medicinal properties of the plant. They used it to treat fever, diarrhea, burn wounds, snake bites and skin lesions (at home and in camping conditions).

Currently, St. John's wort is included in the register of medicinal raw materials in almost all countries of the world. Preparations based on it are used to relieve vascular spasms, enhance the secretion of gastric juice, reduce nervous excitement, increase diuresis, accelerate tissue regeneration, suppress the activity of helminths, and improve metabolism. The most popular of them are “Novoimanin”, “Negrustin”, “Gelarium Hypericum”, “Deprim”, “Imanin”, “Doppelgerts Nervotonic”, “Gerbion Hypericum”, “Fluoxetine”, “Venlift”.

Indications for the use of drugs with St. John's wort:

• neurological diseases (headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, anxiety);
• gynecological problems (premenstrual syndrome, thrush, polymenorrhea, mastitis, uterine fibroids, oligomenorrhea, cracked nipples, leucorrhoea);
• dysfunctions of the digestive tract (gastritis, constipation, diarrhea, colitis);
• urological disorders (urolithiasis, cystitis, urethritis);
• otolaryngological pathologies (rhinitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, dry cough);
• dental infections (stomatitis, gingivitis);
• dermatological diseases (wounds, ulcers, burns, boils, pyodermatitis, carbuncles, abscesses).

Remember, medicines based on St. John's wort vary greatly in chemical and qualitative composition. In addition, they can be standardized for the concentration of hypericin (usually 0.3%) and hyperforin (3 to 5%). Considering that “rabbit’s blood” is a slightly toxic plant, it is better to entrust the choice of medication to a doctor.

Protecting women's health

Traditional recipes for healers:

1. Composition that reduces pain during menstruation (especially during puberty). Mix in equal proportions valerian root, St. John's wort stems, rue herb, mint shoots, tripoli leaves, yarrow flowers, chamomile petals. Pour 30 g of the collection into 500 ml of boiling water, leave for several hours in a thermos. The composition is taken three times a day, 70-100 ml. The course of treatment is 90 days. After a month, therapy can be repeated (if necessary).
2. Herbal mixture to stimulate menstruation (with scanty and irregular menstruation). Ingredients: rose hips (30 g), parsley root (30 g), wormwood herb (30 g), fennel seeds (15 g), juniper berries (15 g), parsley seeds (15 g), St. John's wort shoots (15 g) , cinquefoil leaves (15 g) and rue (10 g). Grind the indicated components, mix and pour boiling water (500 ml of water per 30 g of collection). The drug is taken 100 ml at least 2 times a day. Duration of therapy is 2 months.
3. A phytocomposition that normalizes the menstrual cycle during oligomenorrhea (excessively long intervals between menstruation). The collection includes 3 components (in equal proportions): valerian root, St. John's wort herb, wild thorn flowers. The raw materials are steamed with boiling water (at the rate of 200 ml of liquid per 20 g of dry mixture). The drug is consumed immediately after cooling once a day (in the evening).
4. Medicinal decoction for uterine fibroids. Active ingredients: immortelle (20 g), St. John's wort (20 g), yarrow (20 g), chamomile (15 g), bearberry (15 g), knotweed (15 g), strawberry (15 g), nettle (10 g) . Steam dried flowers (20 g) with boiling water (500 ml), boil in a water bath for 3 minutes. The composition is consumed twice a day, 150 ml for 1.5 months. After 10 days, treatment can be resumed.
5. A remedy for reducing the volume and duration of menstruation (for hyper- and polymenorrhea). Mix 45 g of horsetail herb, 30 g of St. John's wort stems, 30 g of centaury shoots, 25 g of juniper fruits, 25 g of plantain leaves. The indicated ingredients are poured with boiling water (at the rate of 60 g of mixture per 900 ml of boiling water). Infuse the composition in a thermos or a cooling oven (4-5 hours). The medicine is taken 15 minutes before each meal, 100 ml. The course of treatment is 14 days.

In addition, it is advisable to use St. John's wort externally as part of solutions for vaginal irrigation (especially for severe itching and thrush). To do this, mix 30 g of oak bark, 30 g of St. John's wort, 15 g of chamomile flowers, 15 g of bearberry leaves, pour in 4 liters of boiling water and boil for 20 minutes over low heat. After this, 60 g of sea salt (not iodized) and 2 ml of eucalyptus tincture are added to the solution. Irrigation is carried out with a warm solution 3 times a day.

Brewing rules

No matter what beneficial properties St. John's wort has, it should not be taken in large quantities; an overdose can adversely affect your health and you can get poisoned.
The simplest and most commonly used method is tea. Pour one tablespoon of St. John's wort herb into one glass of boiling water, leave to steep for 30 minutes, strain. It turns out a concentrated drink, dilute it 2-3 times, add honey if desired and drink. The healthiest tea is freshly prepared; it cannot be left in reserve; the longer it sits, the less beneficial substances remain.

Use in folk medicine

Due to its rich ingredient composition, St. John's wort is very popular in folk medicine (along with chamomile). It is added to almost all herbal complexes, mixtures, and face masks.

Plant forms of the plant used in folk medicine.

Fresh leaves, shoots and inflorescences

The crushed raw materials are used as a bactericidal agent for healing wounds, bruises, burns and abrasions. In addition, medicinal mixtures are prepared based on St. John's wort to eliminate allergic rashes and itching from insect bites.

Oil

Fill a half-liter container with St. John's wort flowers (700 g). Pour unrefined vegetable oil (peach, almond, olive) over the grass. “Squeeze” the flowers tightly (so that they are covered with liquid), seal the jar with a lid, and move the container to a dark place for 30 days. After infusion is complete, strain the mixture and pour into an opaque bottle. St. John's wort oil is used to “fight” boils, herpes, trophic ulcers, hemorrhoids, mastopathy, periodontal disease, and rosacea.

Infusion

To prepare the drug you will need 50 g of St. John's wort (dry) and 200 ml of boiling water. The ingredients are mixed and then infused for 3 hours in a thermos. The therapeutic mixture is taken three times a day, 50 ml. The composition is effective in the complex therapy of gastritis, cystitis, colitis, hypotension, headaches, cholelithiasis. In addition, the infusion is suitable for rinsing the mouth (for gingivitis, stomatitis, colds) and treating inflammatory processes on the skin (in the form of lotions).

Decoction

Dry St. John's wort stems (25 g) are poured with water (250 ml), and then boiled for 15 minutes over low heat. The product is used both internally (for the treatment of intestinal infections and diarrhea) and externally (for washing and rinsing hair).

Alcohol tincture

The composition is prepared from St. John's wort and vodka (in a ratio of 1:7). If desired, you can use medical alcohol (in a ratio of 1:10). After mixing, the mixture is infused in a dark place for 5-6 days. After the specified time, boiled water is added to the herbal solution (in a ratio of 1:5). The drug is used as a warming compress for joint and muscle pain.

Tea

Pour 7 g of St. John's wort herb into the teapot. If desired, you can add strawberries and linden blossom. Pour boiling liquid over the raw material, and then leave for 7-10 minutes under a closed lid. Tea is consumed to strengthen the immune system and relieve nervous tension (together with honey or cranberry jam).

St. John's wort oil

This is an excellent antiseptic, which is recommended to lubricate burns (even extensive ones), wounds, abrasions, contusions and bruises to disinfect and accelerate tissue regeneration.

Other uses of St. John's wort oil:

1. Prevention of influenza and respiratory infections. To prevent colds (especially during periods of vitamin deficiency), St. John's wort oil is instilled into the nasal sinuses (2 drops three times a day). When rhinitis appears, the frequency of irrigation is increased to 7-9 times a day (every 90 minutes). Along with this, it is advisable to take St. John's wort oil orally (5 ml each).
2. Diseases of the digestive tract (ulcers, gastritis, enterocolitis, duodenitis, irritable bowel syndrome). To regenerate the mucous membranes, St. John's wort concentrate is taken 15 ml twice a day (50 minutes before meals). The course of treatment with oil is 21 days. After 10 days, the therapy is repeated.
3. Inflammation of the skin (abscesses, boils, burns). St. John's wort oil is applied to the cleansed damaged dermis for 20 minutes (in the form of applications and medicinal dressings). With daily treatment of the skin, the regeneration of epithelial tissue accelerates (including the healing of purulent scars). Along with this, the oil mixture is used for mastitis, bruising, muscle strains, cracked nipples (in nursing mothers).
4. Vitiligo. To reduce foci of depigmentation, St. John's wort is used both internally (in the form of an oil infusion) and externally (as part of applications). The concentrate is consumed 10 ml three times a day (preferably 3 weeks). After 7 days, the treatment is repeated. To obtain a pharmacological effect, it is important to carry out 8 cycles of therapy (with weekly breaks).

During oral administration, the affected skin is lubricated with St. John's wort oil (by applying a napkin soaked in the healing mixture for 40 minutes). The course of therapeutic wraps is 40 days.

1. Stomatitis, periodontal disease, gingivitis. For inflammation of the oral cavity, St. John's wort “poultices” are used. To do this, a cotton swab in a herbal decoction is applied to the damaged areas of the gums for 20 minutes.
2. Haemorrhoids. To reduce pain, a composition is prepared from St. John's wort oil (15 ml) and chamomile ether (15 ml). Then the mixture is combined with 100 ml of boiled water and injected into the anus from a microenema. After this, turn over on your side or stomach for 5 minutes.

To enhance the antiseptic effect, St. John's wort oil can be combined with other bactericidal plants (celandine, chamomile, calendula).

Application in cosmetology

St. John's wort is an excellent remedy for the care of oily, problematic and aging skin (due to its powerful antibacterial, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties). Based on it, many factory-made body care products are prepared (especially for tanning), homemade face masks, and cosmetic tonics.

St. John's wort combats the following problems:

• acne, comedones;
• wrinkles;
• sagging skin;
• seborrhea;
• irritation, redness;
• increased oily skin;
• vitiligo;
• warts;
• rosacea.

Folk beauty recipes

Mask to reduce oily skin

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Pour 20 g of chopped St. John's wort (preferably fresh) into 40 ml of boiling water. After cooling, apply the paste to the skin for 20 minutes, rinse with water. The frequency of use of the composition is 2 times a week.

Cosmetic ice for aging skin

For women over 40 years old, it is advisable to treat the face and neck with a cube of frozen St. John's wort decoction (after morning cleansing of the skin).

Rinse for purulent rashes

Those with oily, acne-prone skin should wash their face daily with an infusion of coltsfoot, St. John's wort, sage, calendula and yarrow (after cleansing the face). To prepare the rinse, the herbs are mixed in equal proportions, and then 30 g of the mixture is steamed in 200 ml of boiling water. After washing with the product, do not wipe the skin.

Mask for dry dermis

Mix 30 g of watermelon pulp (domestic), 5 g of oatmeal and 3 ml of St. John's wort oil. The composition is applied to washed skin for 15 minutes and washed off with water. After the procedure, a nourishing cream should be applied to the face.

Lotion for problem acne skin

Ingredients: 100 ml medical alcohol (76%), 30 g St. John's wort herb (fresh), 30 g aloe leaves. Plant materials are crushed and then transferred to a glass container. After this, the mixture is poured with alcohol and left in a dark place for 7-10 days. Then the lotion is filtered and transferred to the refrigerator. Only the affected areas of the dermis are treated with the medicinal composition (morning and evening). The shelf life of raw materials is 10 days (in the refrigerator).

In addition, St. John's wort is used to care for dry, oily and problematic scalp. It copes well with dandruff, alopecia, and increased activity of the sebaceous glands.

Folk hair masks

Composition for baldness

Mask ingredients: St. John's wort (60 mg), honey (30 ml) and egg (1 pc). Preparation instructions: scald the herb with boiling water (200 ml), and after 15 minutes, grind with a blender. Then add egg, honey and vegetable broth to the grated pulp (bringing it to the consistency of liquid sour cream). Apply the mask to cleansed hair for 20 minutes, wrap in a plastic bag. Rinse off the mixture with warm liquid without adding shampoo.

With regular use of the mask (once a week), hair loss stops (after 1 month), “dormant” hair follicles are activated, and the hydro-lipid balance of the skin improves.

Mask to reduce oily strands

To prepare the “balm” you will need: St. John's wort (30 g), chamomile (15 g), calendula (15 g). Pour boiled water (200 ml) into the specified raw materials and then boil for 10 minutes. After cooling, grind the herb in a blender and then combine with lemon juice (3 ml) and herbal decoction. Apply the treatment mask to the hair for 20 minutes (after washing your hair) and rinse off.

To reduce the production of sebaceous secretions, the procedure is performed 2 times a week.

Anti-dandruff mask

Mix 50 ml each of St. John's wort and burdock oil. Combine the mixture with kefir (50 ml), honey (15 ml) and lemon juice (5 ml). Rub the mask into the cleaned roots (wet), and then insulate the head with polyethylene. After 20 minutes, rinse the composition with hot water with the addition of apple cider vinegar.

Nourishing mask for dry hair

Ingredients: St. John's wort oil (50 ml), heavy milk cream (50 ml), honey (30 ml), aloe vera leaves (20 ml), chicken yolk (1 pc). Mix the components, apply to the root area of ​​the head, thoroughly massaging the skin cover. The product is left for 25 minutes. With weekly use of the mask, peeling of the skin is reduced, hair growth is enhanced, and the structure of the curls is restored.

Strengthening mask for weakened curls

Active ingredients: milk (50 ml), St. John's wort oil (45 ml), nettle leaves (20 g), burdock roots (20 g), chicken yolk (1 pc). If desired, add onion peel or chopped walnut peel to the composition (to give the hair a golden hue). Method of preparation: pour boiling milk over burdock and nettle, leave for 10 minutes. Combine the resulting mixture with St. John's wort oil and yolk. Apply the composition to a cleansed (wet) head for 25 minutes, rinse with water. The product nourishes the skin, strengthens hair follicles, and reduces the intensity of split ends.

Remember, masks with St. John's wort increase the sensitivity of the dermis to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, their use should be abandoned in the summer.