St. John's wort is a very famous medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine for a long time. They say that he is able to cure 99 diseases. It is used both separately and as part of a collection of herbs.
Let us consider in more detail the St. John's wort plant itself , 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 popular beliefs, sorcerers and shamans used it in their rituals. He actively secretes red juice, which is why he was nicknamed the bloodthirsty.
St. John's wort can reach a meter in height, has opposite translucent leaves and veins of black color. 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. Basically, flowers that bloom in summer are used as a therapeutic agent. They are cut and dried. Uns dried grass is rarely used, mainly externally. In this case, the raw materials are crushed and applied to wounds or ulcers. When treating joints and lower back, honey is added to the compresses.
Beneficial features
A large number of nutrients gives the plant the ability to help with many diseases. It contains tannins, geraniol, pinene, myrcel, hypericin, azulene, saponins, coumarins, alkaloids and other active substances. It is also rich in vitamins B3, C and P. Thus, the grass can stop bleeding, heals wounds, helps with stress, soothes, regenerates and rejuvenates cells, prevents the formation of blood clots and cholesterol plaques, cleanses blood vessels and strengthens the immune system.
Therefore, St. John's wort grass, 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 states, allergies and inflammatory processes on the skin.
Hypericum contraindications
As we now know, this unique plant contains a large number of useful and active substances. However, along with invaluable benefits, there are contraindications for St. John's wort.
It is very important to identify and define the boundaries between health risks and benefits. For this reason, they often simply refuse to take potent herbs. However, with a little effort and having studied the basic rules, it will not be as difficult to take them into account when taking it as it might seem at first glance.
It is better not to use the plant at all for hypertensive patients, as well as patients with cirrhosis and nephritis. Pregnant women and women during lactation are strictly prohibited from taking it.
Allergy sufferers should be especially careful, and with the appearance of rashes and other negative reactions of the body, abandon St. John's wort.
In addition, if you are often in the sun at this time, then the likelihood of age spots is likely.
The contraindications of St. John's wort also apply to people who have had the organs transplanted, as their rejection may begin.
It is prohibited for AIDS patients, since the medicines taken with this disease will be neutralized.
Also, contraindications to hypericum include manic psychosis. A plant can cause exacerbations.
Consider what are the prohibitions and indications for admission separately for men, women and children.
Features of application for men
St. John's wort has special medicinal properties and contraindications for men. Herbalists have long known that if you drink grass from time to time, then there is an increase in potency. Scientists still can not understand what caused this reaction of the body. They only speculate that this may be due to vasodilator and antidepressant effects. The use of a medicinal plant for cystitis and prostatitis is shown, which, possibly, also affects sexual function.
But at the same time, there is another opinion, according to which there are serious contraindications for St. John's wort to men for admission. It is believed that if you take it too often, there is a big 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 natural potency. Then sexual desire may decrease, and an erection - weaken. Therefore, in order not to harm men's health, it is advisable to take St. John's wort no more than 1-2 times a month.
Features of application for women
Most of this plant is used by the fairer sex. St. John's wort has other beneficial properties and contraindications for women than for men. Temporary impotence cannot happen for them, therefore they are more decisive in this matter.
Healing tea can relieve the condition before menstruation or with menopause. The plant treats thrush, vulvitis and inflammation. In this case, it is used for douching.
Pregnant grass is contraindicated, as it can cause a miscarriage. It is not recommended for those women who use contraceptives.
Features of application for children
Many experts recommend that in the spring-summer period and with childhood insomnia, St. John's wort be taken to children. 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, any remedy has a stronger effect than on an adult.
Therefore, if parents decide to give a decoction from this plant, you should especially carefully monitor the well-being of the child. If there is the slightest sign of a negative reaction, you must definitely stop taking it.
Admission Rules
St. John's wort is taken, observing the following recommendations:
- The course begins 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 sun exposure is prohibited.
- In no case should you exceed the recommended dose.
- It is contraindicated to drink grass at the same time as pharmacy medicines.
- Before anesthesia, taking the plant is also prohibited.
A few recipes from hypericum
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, adding butter and lemon juice.
To prepare the tincture, alcohol is required. The flowers are put to the top of the container, and then filled with alcohol. For 2 weeks, the product should be stored in a dry, dark place, after which it is filtered and taken in diluted form, in a ratio of 1: 5. Store tincture should also be in a dark place.
Hypericum oil is very useful. You can cook it like this. 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 use, you can achieve excellent results. Of course, women take it much more often. But on men, with proper use, a medicinal plant can have a beneficial effect.