St. John's Wort St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
St. John's wort is a very popular and widely-used herb. Its main area of function is the nervous system. "Wort" is derived from an Old English word meaning "root." Although used many years before, with the coming of Christianity, came the name St. John which, subsiquently comes from the name St. John the Baptist. St. John's wort contains hypericin, a natural compound that helps support the nervous system. Medicinal Uses St. John's wort combats stress, minor depression, and alcohol cravings. It is an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, astringant, expectorant, nervine, vulnerary, it treats bedwetting, and insomnia. It has been found to inhibit the growth of HIV and AIDS in animals. The oil extract of St. John's Wort can be used for intestinal and stomach problems. Drink the tea if you would like help with anemia, headaches, jaundice, feminine difficulties and pains, and chest congestion. Use an oil made of it externally on burns, wounds, sores, bruises, and skin problems. Taken internally, St. John's wort has a sedative and pain reducing effect. As a lotion it will speed the healing of many skin problems, especially sunburns. Because of it's antibiotic properties, it has been and is being tested for it's food preservation abilities.
Action -
Anti-depressant - Anti-inflammatory - Astringent - Vulnerary - Nervine - Anti-microbial - .

Use For -
Depression - Headaches - Bronchitis

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