Useful properties and contraindications of St. John's wort

St. John's wort is a very famous medicinal plant, which 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 in the collection of herbs.

Let us examine the plant itself in detail , the properties and contraindications that it has, and also study the basic rules for its application.

Description

There are about a hundred kinds of this herb. The most common is St. John's wort (in the public - holed). According to legends, sorcerers and shamans used it in their rituals. He actively allocates red juice, because of what he was nicknamed a bloodsucker.

St. John's wort can reach a meter in height, has opposite leafy leaves and veins of black color. Bright yellow flowers consist of inflorescences. They have a pleasant tart smell.

The life cycle of the plant is 7 years. It can be found anywhere in the northern hemisphere. In general, flowers are used as a remedy, which blossom in the summer. They are cut and dried. Grass in an undried form is used rarely, mostly externally. In this case, the raw materials are ground and applied to wounds or ulcers. In the treatment of joints and loins, honey is added to the compresses.

Beneficial features

A large number of useful substances gives the plant the ability to help with many diseases. It contains tannins, geraniol, pinenas, myrcel, hypericin, azulene, saponins, coumarins, alkaloids and other active substances. It is also rich in vitamins B3, C and P. Thus, the herb can stop bleeding, heals wounds, helps with stress, soothes, regenerates and rejuvenates the cells, prevents the formation of blood clots and cholesterol plaques, cleanses the vessels and strengthens the immune system.

Therefore, St. John's wort, the use and contraindications of which we consider in the article, will be very useful in cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal and urinary tract diseases. The plant will effectively manifest itself in depressive states, allergies and inflammatory processes on the skin.

Contraindications of St. John's wort

As we now know, this unique plant contains a large number of useful and active substances. However, along with the invaluable benefits, there are contraindications to 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 a potent herb. However, with a little effort and having studied the basic rules, it will not be so difficult to take them into account when receiving it, as it may seem at first glance.

The plant is best not to use completely hypertensive patients, as well as patients with liver cirrhosis and nephritis. Pregnant women and women during lactation are categorically prohibited from taking it.

Allergy sufferers should be especially careful, and when there are rashes and other negative reactions of the body to abandon St. John's wort.

In addition, if at this time often to be in the sun, the probability of occurrence of pigmentary spots is great.

The contraindications of St. John's wort spread to people who have been transplanted to organs, since their rejection may begin.

It is forbidden for people with AIDS, since the drugs taken with this disease will be neutralized.

Also in the contraindications of St. John's wort is manic psychosis. The plant can cause its aggravation.

Consider what are the prohibitions and indications for admission separately for men, women and children.

Features of application for men

Special has St. John's wort medicinal properties and contraindications for men. Phytotherapists 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 such a reaction of the body. They only speculate that this may be due to vasodilating and antidepressant effects. The use of a medicinal plant for cystitis and prostatitis is shown, which, perhaps, also affects the sexual function.

But at the same time there is another opinion, according to which for the reception there are serious contraindications to St. John's wort for men. It is believed that if you take it too often, there is a big risk of getting the opposite effect, that is, reducing the potency. This is associated with the body's getting used to regular stimulation, which leads to a weakening of the natural potency. Then the sexual desire can decrease, and the erection - weaken. Therefore, in order not to harm male health, it is advisable to take St. John's wort not more often 1-2 times a month.

Features of application for women

Most of this plant is consumed by representatives of the weaker sex. St. John's wort shows useful properties and contraindications for women, than for men. They can not happen temporary impotence, so they are more resolute in this matter.

Healing tea can relieve the condition before menstruation or with menopause. The plant heals thrush, vulvitis and inflammation. In this case, it is used for syringing.

Pregnant herb is contraindicated, since it can cause miscarriage. It is not recommended for women who use contraceptives.

Features of application for children

Many experts recommend that in the spring-summer period and with children's insomnia, take St. John's Wort for children. The contraindications here are the same as in adults. However, it should be remembered that official medicine did not fully understand the properties of the plant. And on the body of a child any tool has a stronger effect than an adult.

Therefore, if the parents decide to give a decoction from this plant, you should pay special attention to the child's well-being. If there are any signs of a negative reaction, you must stop taking it.

Rules of admission

St. John's wort accept, following the following recommendations:

1. The course starts with a minimum amount, checking the reaction of your body.
2. It can last no more than 3 weeks. Then you need to take a break.
3. Long-term exposure to sunlight is prohibited.
4. In no case should the recommended dose be exceeded.
5. It is contraindicated to drink grass at the same time as pharmacy medicines.
6. Before anesthesia, plant intake is also prohibited.

Several recipes from St. John's wort

Often the plant is used for skin care. From it make broths, lotions, add to masks and creams. With oily and porous skin, the infusion can simply be frozen, then rub the skin with ice. For dry skin, a cream is prepared from it, adding butter and lemon juice.

To prepare tincture, alcohol is required. In the container stack up the flowers, and then poured alcohol. For 2 weeks the product should be stored in a dry, dark place, after which it is filtered and taken in a diluted form, in a ratio of 1: 5. Keep the tincture also should be in a dark place.

Very useful is the oil from St. John's wort. You can prepare it like this. One part of the dried flowers and leaves is ground 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 to St. John's wort, and there are many of them, with proper, careful application, you can achieve excellent results. Of course, women take it much more often. But also on men at the correct use the medicinal plant is capable to render beneficial action.