About medicinal grass with the threatening name "St. John's wort" everyone probably heard. But why is this plant particularly useful, for whom it is possible and for whom it is impossible to use it and how exactly it is necessary to use raw materials to obtain the maximum result - questions, answers to which are not yet known to everyone. Let's figure it out!
Description
St. John's wort, or holed (holey) - is a perennial erect grass with slender bare stems. Usually the height of the plant is about 30 cm, but in favorable conditions it can reach 80 cm. The roots are thin, but have many side branches. The leaves have the shape of an ellipse or egg and are covered with numerous light and dark speckles that look like holes. 
The flowers are small, bright yellow, they are the main source of healing properties. The plant is widespread throughout the world, mainly in the northern hemisphere, and feels best on well-lit dry areas — in a meadow or meadow.
The Latin name for Hypericum is Hypericum. In the people it is also known as bloodstained, red grass, hare blood, as well as the grass of John the Baptist (in the English version - St. John).
Did you know? The link between the name of the plant and the image of the Forerunner is probably due to the fact that the day of the birth of this prophet falls on June 24, when St. John’s wort begins active flowering. However, there is also a beautiful legend about this. As is well known, the beautiful Solomeya, at the instigation of her mother, the cunning Herodias, demanded that the king of Galilee, Herod bring the head of John the Baptist to her on a dish. And when the squire carried his severed head to the palace, a few drops of blood fell to the ground. In this very place, a plant amazing in its healing properties grew, on the leaves of which bloody drops seemed to freeze in memory of the brutally murdered prophet.There are several varieties of Hypericum, some of which are shrubs and even small trees. However, grass is famous for its beneficial properties.
Plant composition
The chemical composition of Hypericum affects the amount of active substances. The leaves and inflorescences of this herb contain:
- tannins (at least 10%), which are an excellent tool for healing wounds, preventing the spread of infection and relieving inflammation;
- flavone compounds (glycoside hyperoside, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, isoquercitrin myrsetin, leucoanthocyanins), strengthen the walls of blood vessels and prevent sclerosis (especially rutin);
- anthocyanins, possessing a huge variety of useful properties, in particular, antioxidant, choleretic, laxative, antiviral, sedative, hemostatic;
- anthracene derivatives (hypericin, hyperforin, pseudohypericin, protopseustohypericin, hyperin, frangulaemodinantranol), some of which have the ability to soothe the nervous system and relieve symptoms of depression;
- phytoncides - natural substances with active antibacterial action;
- carotenoids, being the strongest antioxidants, immunomodulators and cardioprotectors, as well as having the ability to convert into vitamin A, necessary for good skin condition, vision, proper functioning of the sex glands, endocrine, respiratory, circulatory systems, etc .;
- tocopherol (Vitamin E), improves tissue respiration, has an antioxidant effect, stabilizes the work of the endocrine and sex glands, helps the absorption of protein and fatty foods;
- a nicotinic acid (vitamin PP), strengthens the nervous system and has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system;
- choline (vitamin B4), improves metabolism and removes fat from the liver;
- vitamin C (vitamin C);
- sesquiterpenes - fragrant substances that also have anthelmintic effect;
- cetyl alcohol, being a natural thickener and widely used in cosmetology.
Nicotinic acid contains: chokeberry, beet leaves, zizifus, lakonos, goose onion, zucchini, eggplants, parsley, blackberry, radish, actinidia, lychee.In addition, carbohydrates, sugars, triterpene saponins, alkaloids, resins, essential oils and other biologically active substances are also present in the St. John's wort.
Useful properties of Hypericum
The numerous useful properties of Hypericum, due to its composition, humanity has been widely used since ancient times.
Did you know? One of the versions of the origin of the name of the plant is even connected with the most valuable property of the grass - to promote wound healing, in particular, to prevent their festering. The Russian word "St. John's wort" is consonant with the Kazakh "Jerambay," which means "healing wounds."This herb really has a strong antiseptic, antimicrobial, healing, regenerating and analgesic effect. In addition, St. John's wort is widely used as a diuretic, choleretic, anthelmintic and astringent.
Our ancestors used decoctions and infusions prepared from “red herbal” for the treatment of wounds and burns, rheumatism and hemorrhoids, tuberculosis and osteochondrosis, women's ailments and headaches, respiratory and cold diseases, pathologies of the liver, kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract, disorders genitourinary system, including cystitis and urinary incontinence, heart problems, nervous disorders and even oncology. 
Did you know? The healing properties of Hypericum were widely used by healers of ancient Greece and Tibet. The famous Swiss alchemist Paracelsus, who lived in the XVI century, venerated St. John's wort the best plant in the world, and in Russia it was called grass from ninety-nine diseases.However, perhaps, one of the most amazing properties of Hypericum is associated with its ability to help from such a "fashionable" condition in the modern world as depression. Today, it is often said about her that experts even began to call her "a cold of psychiatry."
Being depressed, a person ceases to enjoy life, does not believe in the future and does not expect anything good from him. In search of salvation, someone swallows handfuls of antidepressants, someone seeks relief in alcohol and drugs, and someone just takes it to life.
Will help cope with depression: asparagus beans, honey, citronella essential oil, saffron, blood-red geranium, catnip, bay leaf, parsnip, garlic.
At the same time, unlike most psychotropic drugs, St. John's wort as a medicine for melancholia is practically harmless and has no contraindications, thanks to which the medicinal properties of this herb, including as an antidepressant, are widely used in both official and traditional medicine.Important! Over the past twenty years, scientists have been conducting active studies on the ability of Hypericum herb, or rather, Amentoflavone and other active substances in its composition, to raise mood and, accordingly, to help cope with depression. Several dozen experiments conducted, in particular, in the United States of America, suggest that the effectiveness of Hypericum in the treatment of mild and even moderate forms of depression is scientifically proven.
Application
St. John's wort is used in beekeeping, light industry, cooking and other areas, but the most interesting for a person is, of course, the ability to heal with the help of this herb "ninety-nine ailments". 
In modern medicine
Modern medicine uses Hypericum in its natural form (dried tops with inflorescences), and in more modern forms (alcohol infusions, extracts, tablets). They prescribe such remedies for painful conditions of three main areas:
- Inflammation of the skin and mouthin particular, abscesses, phlegmon, sinusitis, stomatitis, sore throat, pharyngitis, gum lesions, as well as burns and festering wounds;
- Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the biliary tract, including cholecystitis, diarrhea, bloating, hepatitis, biliary dyskinesia, violation of the contractile abilities of the gallbladder, etc .;
- Nervous system disorders, including depression, insomnia, constant anxiety.
Important! Antibacterial properties of Hypericum are so strong that they are able to suppress even the wand of Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant to penicillin group antibiotics.The stabilizing effect exerted by the plant on the biliary system, the intestines and the gastrointestinal tract is explained by its constituent essential oils, anthocyanins and choline.
As natural antidepressants, psychiatrists often prescribe Gelarium Hypericum, Deprivit, and Russian-made capsules under the promising name Negrustin. Hypericum extract contained in such dosage forms elevates the mood and removes the patient from the state of melancholia, depression, irritability and anxiety. However, it does not cause side effects, does not reduce the reaction rate, so these drugs, unlike the overwhelming majority of synthetic antidepressants, are sold over the counter in pharmacies without a prescription. 
In folk
In folk medicine, the grass of John the Baptist is used even more widely. In addition to the above areas, herbalists treat decoctions, tinctures and tinctures of hypericum arrhythmia, gastritis, heartburn, arthritis, rheumatism and many other diseases.
Did you know? It turns out that hyperforin and adhyperforin that are part of Hypericum have a unique property, which is not characteristic of other natural antidepressants, to suppress the body's addiction to alcohol. This discovery is based on many recipes of traditional medicine aimed at treating alcoholism. In addition, St. John's wort helps get rid of the severe state of alcohol withdrawal (or, more simply, a hangover).All the above dosage forms based on Hypericum (decoctions, alcohol tinctures, water infusions) can be easily prepared at home using raw materials (dried grass and inflorescences) sold in pharmacies or at the market, or collected independently. When buying, experts recommend giving preference to grass, which is sold in bulk, rather than in special portion packets, like tea.
You can use blood blood in its pure form or in the form of a herbal collection, in the latter case, due to the competent selection of components, you can enhance the therapeutic effect in the desired direction.
For example, the complex "oregano + mint + St. John's wort" gives an excellent anti-cough effect, St. John's wort combined with yarrow is a well-known remedy for treating liver and cholecystitis, and the mixture of red grass with chamomile, birch buds, strawberry leaves and immortelle is generally called the "magic five" he has such a wide range of useful properties.
Important! Decoctions and infusions of Hypericum can be taken orally no later than within a day. After this period, they become dangerous (this precaution does not apply to outdoor use).And from Hypericum can make excellent herbal tea. In fact, such a drink is as medicinal as a decoction or infusion, and it can also be enriched with other components, such as dogrose (a combination of sweet and bitter is an excellent taste solution, and the anti-cold effect of such a drink is exactly guaranteed).
In cosmetology
As already mentioned, the grass of John the Baptist has a beneficial effect on the skin, tones and rejuvenates it. It is also known to exfoliate and antiseborrheic properties of the plant, and the astringent effect it has is excellent for combating excessive oily skin and hair.
This is based on numerous recipes for masks and lotions that can be easily prepared at home.
For example, a decoction of red herbs is used to treat acne, acne, skin inflammations and minor injuries, remove shine and tone the skin. As an oily skin care, masks from the herb of St. John's wort are well suited (dry grass just needs to be chopped, filled with water, heated, not boiling, and applied on the face with an even layer for 20 minutes).
A decoction of Hypericum with chamomile (in equal parts) is an excellent means for washing: the skin will become soft and smooth, like in a baby.
If the decoction of hypericum is poured into molds and frozen, such cubes can wipe the skin of the face in the morning to narrow the pores. Such procedures are shown to people with oily skin prone to acne. A healing lotion - decoction of Hypericum mixed with vodka (a tablespoon for a glass of broth) is also suitable for them.
For holders of dry skin, red grass is also useful, but it is worth making a cream, not lotion, from it. Mix the decoction or tincture of herbs with butter, whip, add a few drops of lemon juice - and the excellent nutrient for the skin is ready!
In the care of dry skin you will need: loquat, yucca, yarrow, evening primrose, purslane, melon, mountain ash red, safflower, almonds, nectarine, Indian onions, amaranth upturned.For oily hair care after rinsing, it is recommended to use water infusion or decoction of St. John's wort as a rinsing agent, in which, to combat hair loss, you can also add a little oak bark.
As an anti-dandruff drug, oil-honey extract of red herbal is suitable: chop dry raw materials, mix with sunflower or other vegetable oil, stand in a dark place under a tight lid for two weeks, strain, add some honey, ryazhenka and a few drops of lemon juice. The resulting product is gently rubbed into the scalp, washed off after a quarter of an hour. After this procedure, the head should be washed well with shampoo, otherwise the skin will remain oily.
Cracked heels are very painful. If you encounter such a problem, try to steam your feet in trays with a steep decoction of Hypericum: 2 tablespoons of dry grass for every liter of water. First, boil the concentrated solution for five minutes with a small amount of water, then dilute to the desired concentration. The temperature of the water should be as hot as you can stand, you should keep your feet in it until the water cools down to room temperature.
When cracked on the heels well helps beeswax.
Side effects and contraindications
Above, we have repeatedly mentioned that St. John's wort, with all its many beneficial properties, has practically no contraindications, so it is so popular with both certified doctors and traditional healers. In fact, this is not quite the case: any plant containing chemically active substances in its composition should be used with caution and, ideally, after consulting with a family doctor.
This is especially true if the plant has a name that carries a threat. It's time, by the way, to figure out why such a wonderful medicinal plant was called "St. John's wort."
Did you know? Long ago, shepherds noticed that in sheep that had eaten grass with bright yellow flowers, their skin began to become covered with terrible bleeding and rotting sores and wounds. But what is interesting: this terrible disease manifests itself, if the animal is in the sun, while the herd grazing in the shade feels like nothing has happened.There is no witchcraft in this phenomenon. The fact is that Hypericin is part of Hypericum Very much increases the susceptibility of the skin to ultraviolet.
Important! Taking a St. John's wort, you can not sunbathe or visit the solarium, in addition, the skin for this period in general should be protected from exposure to active sunlight.Another possible side effect from using a medicinal plant is allergic reaction. It can be both external (rash, redness, itching) and more serious (angioedema, convulsions, anaphylactic shock). Any manifestation of allergy, even a minor one, is a reason to stop taking the drug or at least seriously talk about it with your doctor, since this disease has a very unpleasant property: with each subsequent allergen entering the body, the severity of the reaction increases.
If we talk about contraindications to the use of drugs on the basis of Hypericum, then these include:
- pregnancy and lactation (the substances in the herb can cause bleeding and, therefore, miscarriage; in addition, there is a danger of a negative effect of the plant components on the fruit)
- chronic pathology of the kidneys and liver (hypericin present in the plant must be promptly excreted from the body, otherwise dangerous complications may occur);
- estrogen dependent tumorsin particular, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, etc .;
- severe forms of depression.
Important! Women who take hormonal contraceptives, HIV-infected people, undergoing appropriate drug therapy, as well as patients who have undergone transplantation of a donor organ and taking drugs to prevent rejection, should be wary of taking Hypericum as the active properties of red herb can significantly weaken the effect of the above medicines .Simultaneously with the preparations of Hypericum can not be taken:
- alcoholic beverages;
- other antidepressants;
- drugs for epilepsy;
- any drugs that include amino acids, reserpine, theophylline, warfarin, heparin, triptan group drugs (migraine drugs).
