Description

Common name: St Johns Wort, hard hay.

Family: Hypericaceae

Habitat/Cultivation: Grown on the sunny slopes and dry grasslands as well as the edge of pine woods. The entire plant above the ground should be collected when in flower and dried as quickly as possible.

Parts used: Aerial parts

Traditional use: Considered primarily for the nervous system (menopausal, neurosis, hysteria)and disorders and injuries  of the spine neuralgia, sciatica and muscular rheumatism. Also used as a diuretic, and to treat urinary problems, diarrhoea, dysentery, parasitic infestations, jaundice, haemorrhages, menorrhagia, and bed wetting. Oil and ointments were used on a wide range of wounds ,ulcers, swelling, bruises and tumors.

Constituents: Glycosides, including rutin volatile oil, tannin resin pectin napthodianthrones, flavonoids

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, astringent, vulnerary, sedative antiviral nervine, antidepressant

Medicinal use: Physiological afflictions of the nervous system and spinal injuries, neuralgia, sciatica, muscular rheumatism; mild psychological disorders, excitability, menopause, nervousness.

Cautions: Avoidence of excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial UV. Used cautiously with patients with a known photosensitivity.

Research: Clinical trials results in treating moderate depression particular when suffering side effects from standard antidepressant drugs. Seasonal affective disorder, psychological symptoms of menopause, aerobic endurance in athletes.

Dosage & forms: 2-5grm of dried herb, oil dosage as per instructions on product

Folk-lore: In the middle ages compresses of St Johns wort was used to heal deep cuts and sword wounds. There are many ancient superstitions regarding this herb.