 Hypericum |
ST.JOHN'S WORT
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM A tincture of the flowers in spirit of wine, is commanded against the melancholy and madness. A perennial plant growing to about two feet (60 cm) high with yellow flowers which yield a reddish juice like blood when bruised. Also called Perforate Stjohn's Wort. Where to find it: Shady woods and copses, meadows and by roadsides. Flowering time: Midsummer. Astrology: It is under the celestial sign of Leo and the dominion of the Sun. Medicinal virtues: Aperient, detersive and diuretic. It is helpful against tertian and quartan agues, is alexipharmic and destroys worms. It is an excellent vulnerary plant. Outwardly it is of great service in bruises, contusions and wounds, especially in the nervous parts, if it be boiled in wine. Made into an ointment, it dissolves swellings and closes up the lips of wounds. The decoction of the herb and flowers, but especially of the seeds, drunk in wine, with the juice of Knotgrass, helps all manner of vomiting and spitting of blood. It is also good for those who cannot make water, and are bitten or stung by venomous creatures. Two drams (3.5 g) of the seed made into powder and drank in broth, expels choler or congealed blood in the stomach. The seed taken in warm wine is recommended for sciatica, failing-sickness, and the palsy. Modern uses: Stjohn's Wort has an affinity for nerve endings and is used in all cases where there is nerve irritation, whether it be a tickly cough, referred pain, neuritis or neuralgia. It is expectorant, diuretic and sedative. In dry irritating coughs, it is combined with Colt's Foot and Marsh Mallow. It is usually added to all prescriptions where the condition is painful. For wounds and boils, the ointment, made by digesting the herb in white wax and straining, can be combined with ointment of Marsh Mallow. For skin diseases where there is inflammation, it is combined with Chickweed ointment. The infused oil made from the flowers is recommended as an application for external ulcers and wounds. Preparations are available from herbalists. St John's Wort is contraindicated in depression. |