St. John’s Wort Medicinal Uses

St. John’s Wort Medicinal Uses are many and it has gotten a huge reputation in the recent past for being a remedy for depression. It is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae with yellow, star-shaped flowers and five petals that grows in Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Eastern Asia. A vigorous, low-maintenance perennial, St.John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) grows well in most conditions except wet soil. Named wort, which is a term used for healing plants.

Common Names: Perforate St.John’s wort, common Saint John’s wort and St John’s wort.

St. John’s Wort Medicinal Uses Overview

The plant has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. It is most commonly used for depression and symptoms that sometimes go along with mood such as nervousness, tiredness, poor appetite, and trouble sleeping. There is some strong scientific evidence that it is effective for mild to moderate depression. St.John’s wort is also used for symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood changes.

Among its benefits, it may help in the treatment of:

• Mild to moderate depression.
• Symptoms of menopause.
• Chronic pain and for painful, irregular menstrual periods that are accompanied by PMS.
• Influenza, TB and other viral outbreaks.
• Neuralgia, myalgia, sciatica with sharp, shooting pain and inflammation.
• Shingles and Herpes simplex.
• Abrasions, skin ulcerations, boils, mild to moderate burns, muscle pain and joint or tissue inflammation.

Caution: Do not use during Pregnancy, with per-existing Liver conditions, with pharmaceutical Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or Birth control pills. In large doses St. John’s Wort can cause Sun sensitivity.

St. John’s Wort Herbal Preparations and Uses

Parts Used: Flower (budding and open flower).

• Tincture
• Infusion (tea)
• Infused Oil
• Flower Essence

St. John’s Wort Herbal Recipes

St. John’s Wort Tea

• Add 1 tbsp Dried Flowers to 1 cup of boiled water.
• Cover and steep for 15+ min covered.
• Strain and drink.