St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort is well-known for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects.

It is also used (one teaspoonful twice a day) in case of gastric and duodenal ulcers (reduces pains in their healing), in digestion problems (prevents cramps, eliminates flatulence and gastric troubles, stimulates secretion of gastric juices and makes digestion easier. In recent years St. John’s wort has become more frequently the choice in fighting depression also and there are numerous scientific studies which confirm this usage. Compared with anti-depressant, St. John’s wort is equally efficient while exhibiting less unwanted effects. After all, it has already been approved in Germany as a medicine for use in mild and moderate depressions, and it has also been acknowledged by the World Health Organization. It is recommended to take one teaspoonful per day (in the morning) for 40 days. In the same way it is used in mood disorders, in menopause, nocturia, fears, obsessive-compulsive disorders and seasonal depressions (occurring in winter months because of the lack of sunlight). St. John’s wort vaginalletes are applied as disinfectant since they have broad anti-bacterial effect. For cyst and myoma problems it is recommended to take one teaspoonful 3 times a day before meals. Apply the treatment for 21 days and then make a pause for 21 days repeating the cycle in this way until the disease is over. For treatment of bacteria and fungi it is advisable to take one teaspoonful once a day before meal. St. John’s wort oil has traditionally been used to reduce pains, in case of rheumatism, gout and skin injuries (swellings, cuts suffusion). It is also used in skin inflammatory processes (burns, for wound healing, insect bites, hemorrhoids and vitiligo) by applying a thin coat of it onto the painful and/or injured places.

Melatonin has also been isolated from St. John’s wort; it is secreted in organism for falling into sleep and maintaining it so that it is proved that this herb is effective in insomnia too.

Since it contains photo-sensitive components, care should be taken of the possibility of developing reactions in sensitive persons because there is a risk of possible burns, especially in summer months.

St. John’s wort should not be used in pregnancy and while breast-feeding since there is no information on usage in these conditions.

St. John’s wort stimulates liver enzymes for faster metabolism of drugs thus lowering their concentration in blood so that the effects of the drug administered can be significantly reduced or lacking.

Also, with simultaneous application of contraceptive pills and St. John’s wort, an additional form of protection is necessary too in order to prevent pregnancy.

St. John’s wort should not be administered simultaneously with anti-depressants because it has the same mechanism of effect, that is, increase of serotonin level in the brain.

In addition, it reduces the effect of the cholesterol regulation drugs, as well as the concentration of the drugs preventing rejection of a transplanted organ, and therefore its usage should be abandoned some time before the operation.

In folk tradition it is well-known that old women have always used to dry the St. John’s wort, put it into glass bottles with oil leaving them on the window sill on the sun-lit side of the house for a couple of weeks, in belief that the synthesis of St. John’s wort, oil and sun will ensure them a healthy year.