St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)-Healing with Herbs

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)-Healing with Herbs

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is the bright yellow flower of the plant and is available fresh or as an extract.

Benefits

• St. John’s Wort is traditionally known to treat neural disorders like depression, anxiety and insomnia.
• Hypericin and other flavonoid compounds in the flowers helps in the treatment of varicose veins. It also heals inflammation.
• The essential oil can effectively heal ulcers, wounds, burns, bruises and insect bites.
• The herb is particularly beneficial to women. It also helps them deal with menopausal problems such as mood swings, emotional disturbances, depression etc. It also helps prevent stretch marks, treat hemorrhoids and pains during pregnancy.

How to use St. John’s Wort

• Use the flowering tops, leaves or extracts to prepare tea. Tea reduces anxiety, treats insomnia, acts as a relaxing agent and lifts the mood.
• The infusion or tea improves urinary flow and also helps in treating pulmonary consumption, infected bowels or urinary passage and chronic catarrh.
• Oils can be extracted from the leaves and the buds for topical application to alleviate sprains, strains, inflammation, bruises, ulcers etc.