St. John's wort is a very famous medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine for a long time. It is said to be able to cure 99 diseases. It is used both separately and as part of a collection of herbs.
Let's take a closer look at the plant St. John's wort, the properties and contraindications that it has, and also study the basic rules for its use.
Description
There are about a hundred species of this herb. The most common St. John's wort (popularly - perforated). According to beliefs, sorcerers and shamans used it in their rituals. It actively secretes red juice, which is why it was nicknamed bloodthirsty.
St. John's wort can reach a meter in height, has opposite translucent leaves and black veins. Bright yellow flowers consist of inflorescences. They have a pleasant tart smell.
The life cycle of a plant is 7 years. It can be found anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Flowers are mainly used as a remedy, whichbloom in summer. They are cut and dried. Grass in undried form is rarely used, mainly externally. In this case, the raw materials are crushed and applied to wounds or ulcers. In the treatment of joints and lower back, honey is added to compresses.
Useful properties
A large amount of nutrients gives the plant the ability to help with many diseases. It contains tannins, geraniol, pinenes, myrcel, hypericin, azulene, saponins, coumarins, alkaloids and other active substances. It is also rich in vitamins B3, C and P. Thus, the herb can stop bleeding, heal wounds, help with stress, soothe, regenerate and rejuvenate cells, prevent the formation of blood clots and cholesterol plaques, cleanse blood vessels and strengthen the immune system.
Therefore, the herb St. John's wort, the use and contraindications of which we consider in the article, will be very useful for cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract. The plant will effectively manifest itself in depressive conditions, allergies and inflammatory processes on the skin.
Contraindications for St. John's wort
As we now know, this unique plant contains a large number of useful and active substances. However, along with the invaluable benefits, there are also contraindications for St. John's wort.
It is very important to highlight and define the boundaries between he alth risks and benefits. For this reason, it is not uncommon to simply refuse to take a potent herb. However, with a little effort and learning the basicrules, taking them into account when taking it will not be as difficult as it might seem at first glance.
It is better not to use the plant at all for hypertensive patients, as well as for patients with cirrhosis of the liver and nephritis. Pregnant women and women during lactation are strictly prohibited from taking it.
Allergy sufferers should be especially careful, and if rashes and other negative reactions of the body appear, stop St. John's wort.
In addition, if you are often in the sun at this time, then there is a high probability of age spots.
St.
It is prohibited for AIDS patients, as the drugs taken for this disease will be neutralized.
Also, St. John's wort is contraindicated for manic psychosis. The plant can cause its exacerbations.
Let's consider what are the prohibitions and indications for taking separately for men, women and children.
Features of application for men
Special St. John's wort has medicinal properties and contraindications for men. Phytotherapists have long known that if you drink grass from time to time, then there is an increase in potency. Scientists still cannot understand what caused such a reaction of the body. They only speculate that this may be due to vasodilating and antidepressant effects. The use of a medicinal plant for cystitis and prostatitis is shown, which may also affect the sexualfunctions.
But at the same time, there is another opinion, according to which there are serious contraindications for taking St. John's wort for men. It is believed that if taken too often, there is a high risk of getting the opposite effect, that is, a decrease in potency. This is associated with the body getting used to regular stimulation, which leads to a weakening of the natural potency. Then the sexual desire may decrease, and the erection may weaken. Therefore, in order not to harm men's he alth, it is advisable to take St. John's wort no more than 1-2 times a month.
Features of application for women
Most of all, this plant is consumed by the fairer sex. St. John's wort beneficial properties and contraindications for women shows other than for men. They cannot experience temporary impotence, so they are more determined in this matter.
Healing tea can alleviate the condition before menstruation or menopause. The plant treats thrush, vulvitis and inflammation. In this case, it is used for douching.
Pregnant women the herb is contraindicated, as it can cause miscarriage. It is also not recommended for those women who use contraceptives.
Features of application for children
Many experts recommend taking St. John's wort for children in the spring-summer period and with childhood insomnia. The contraindications here are the same as in adults. However, it should be remembered that official medicine has not fully studied the properties of the plant. And on the child's body anythe remedy has a stronger effect than on an adult.
Therefore, if parents decide to give a decoction of this plant, you should especially carefully monitor the well-being of the child. If there are the slightest signs of a negative reaction, it is necessary to stop taking it.
Admission rules
St. John's wort is taken following the following recommendations:
- The course starts with a minimum amount, checking the reaction of your body.
- It can last no more than 3 weeks. Then you need to take a break.
- Long-term exposure to the sun is prohibited.
- Never exceed recommended doses.
- It is contraindicated to drink grass at the same time as pharmacy medicines.
- Before anesthesia, taking the plant is also prohibited.
Several recipes from St. John's wort
Often the plant is used for skin care. Decoctions, lotions are made from it, added to masks and creams. With oily and porous skin, the infusion can simply be frozen, then wipe the skin with ice. For dry skin, a cream is prepared from it by adding butter and lemon juice.
This tincture requires alcohol. Flowers are placed in a container to the top, and then poured with alcohol. Within 2 weeks, the product should be stored in a dry, dark place, after which it is filtered and taken in a diluted form, in a ratio of 1:5. The tincture should also be stored in a dark place.
Very useful is St. John's wort oil. cookit can be so. One part of dried flowers and leaves is crushed and poured with vegetable oil. Before use, the mixture should stand for 3 weeks in a dark place.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that there are strict contraindications for St. John's wort, and there are many of them, with proper, careful application, excellent results can be achieved. Of course, women take it much more often. But even for men, when used correctly, a medicinal plant can have a beneficial effect.
