Discover the different healing properties of St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort: Learn about the different healing properties of the St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort: Learn about the different healing properties of St. John’s wort. Within a few days he became Saint John the Baptist. Various popular beliefs are associated with this anniversary, for example that at night between 23 and 24 June acorns must be collected to prepare Nucino liqueur.

Another tradition linking the name St. John to a medicinal herb with various medicinal uses is also known as “St. John’s wort”, even if the more common name today is “St. John’s wort”.

properties of hypericum

Hypericum (Hypericum perforatum) is a perennial plant that has been used for centuries in folk pharmacopoeia to treat wounds, burns, and skin infections, but also for psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression.

HippocratesIn the fourth century BC he advised him in case of colds, insomnia and hysteria.

Also Paracelsus, a 15th-century Swiss physician (the name, not very humble, means “greater than Celsus”, i.e. greater than the medical treatise Ulu Cornelio Celso, 1st century CE) recommended it for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and nervous system problems as well as for wounds and burns.

In middle age, sprigs of this plant were hung over doors and windows to ward off demons, nightmares, and other supposedly evil presences.

In many European countries it was customary to spend the whole night of Saint John dancing with the head decorated with this plant. After the party, St. John’s wort flowers were cast over the rooftops as a spell against lightning.

St. John’s wort from a modern point of view

In hypericum, many active substances can be found. For example: hypericin, hyperforin, rutin and quercetin (the last two are flavonoids, antioxidants), plant sterols, tannins, vitamins C and A, choline.

In modern phytotherapy, hypericum is indicated against asymptomatic depression mild, but it has been noted that the plant can also be effective against other mood disorders.

For example for premenstrual syndrome, for seasonal depression (eg in the fall), for disorders related to menopause.

Hypericum oil

In oil form, Hypericum proves beneficial to use external, in case of burns, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, erythema of heat stroke, muscle pain, wound treatment after cesarean section.

In his pocket is a food science degree, and on his fingers is a great passion for writing. I’m particularly interested in recycling and do-it-yourself topics, but I like to write about any topic, as long as it’s curious and engaging. I love photography and travelling.

You may also be interested in…