In Russia, the healing properties of this herb have always been highly appreciated. She has many names, but to us she is better known as St. John's wort. The use in medicine was not limited to the preparation of ointments and infusions for various diseases, this herb was added to food and used for cosmetic purposes.
St. John's wort is harvested during full bloom, cutting off the shoots with flowers by 15-20 cm. Dry it in a well-ventilated area. In ancient times, no drug collection was complete without an herb called St. John's wort. Its application is very wide. The therapeutic effect develops due to the content of essential oils, tannins and flavonoids in the plant. Also in St. John's wort there is a small amount of ascorbic and nicotinic acids. Medicinal raw materials have a pronounced antispasmodic and reparative effect, due to which it is part of various herbal preparations used for gastrointestinal diseases. With kidney stone disease, decreased secretion of digestive glands or lack of appetite, you can also brew St. John's wort.
The use of decoctions and infusions of this plant helps to cope with depression, neurosis, psycho-vegetative disorders of mild degree. This effect of St. John's wort is due to the presence of hyperecin in its composition, which is able to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. It also affects the synthesis of melatonin. Men need to be careful when using a decoction or infusion of this plant, since it contains imanine, which can inhibit the activity of testicles.
How can
St. John's wort (grass) be
used? Instructions for using this
a medicinal plant is as follows:
- To prepare a decoction of St. John's wort 2 tbsp. tablespoons of raw materials you need to pour a glass of boiling water and insist for half an hour. Take the resulting liquid three times a day for 1/2 cup before meals.
- If 10 g of dry grass is insisted with a glass of boiling water, we get an extract of St. John's wort. It should be taken 5 times a day for 1 tablespoon after eating.
- To obtain an ointment that helps with rheumatism, you can also use St. John's wort. Using it helps relieve pain. To do this, rub it with disturbing places. Such an ointment can be obtained by mixing the crushed dry herb of St. John's wort with turpentine and vegetable oil.
Quite widespread St. John's wort was used both for medical and cosmetic purposes. Most often, its oil is used for this. It has antiseptic and whitening properties, due to which it is used for seborrhea, hair loss and acne.
St. John's wort oil also tightens pores and is able to restore the lipid barrier of the skin, in small quantities it can be added to sunblock. It can be made at home: for this, 200 g
of plant flowers need to be mixed with 500 g of vegetable oil (almond, olive or unrefined sunflower oil) and put in a water bath for half an hour. After that, leave the oil for 3 days to infuse and then strain. Store the finished product in a cool dark place.