Surprising Health Uses of St. John's Wort
Depression Treatment and Healing Herbal Remedy
Aug 19, 2009
A materia medica will typically give the following information regarding this versatile medicinal herb:
- Herb: St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)
- Family: Guttiferae
- Part Used: Arial parts, whole herb
- Energy: Cool
- Systems Affected: Liver, nervous system
- Biochemical Constituents: Essential oil, hypericin, flavonoids
- Actions: Sedative, bitter, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antidepressant
- Uses: Nerve pains, neuralgia, depression
- Notes: Used to treat diseases of the nervous system. Controlled studies have shown it to relieve depression in women, probably through a process of monoamineoxidase inhibition.
- Cautions: May cause photosensitivity; avoid sun exposure when using this herb.
There is, however, much more to St. John’s Wort than the treatment of nervous conditions, depression and anxiety. Native Americans have used the herb in treating everything from wounds and diarrhea to snakebite.
Jude Todd, in Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies, explains that St. John’s Wort’s flowers can be used to make an ointment for generalized skin disorders. As a tea, this medicinal herb is also good for strengthening the immune system. St. John’s Wort possesses an expectorant action too, which makes it useful for breaking up and expelling mucus congestion. As a stimulant this herb will act to improve blood circulation.
Treatment for Burns and Wounds
Because it also has soothing and antiseptic properties, St. John’s Wort can be used as a healing wash for pain relief in mild burns and sunburn. To make such a wash Todd suggests that an infusion be made by combining 2 tablespoons of the herb with 1 cup of boiling water. This should be allowed to steep until it is completely cool before straining off and applying to the skin.
This same infusion can also be used as an aid in the treatment of difficult puncture wounds. In such cases, the tea is used to wash the wound and allowed to dry on the skin. To further promote healing, the infusion can be used to moisten the bandages used for wound dressings. Furthermore, this infusion makes a handy preparation for use as a cool soak.
Symptoms of Gall Bladder Pain
Another surprising use for St. John’s Wort is in easing discomfort related to gall bladder disease symptoms. In this application only 4 – 5 leaves are steeped in 1 cup of boiling water. This tea may be taken several times per day to help relieve painful symptoms as they arise, but Todd emphasizes that this remedy should not be used on an on-going basis.
As an Aid to Recovery
When recovering from an injury or surgical procedure, St. John’s Wort has even been used to alleviate pain and prevent hemorrhaging. Todd writes that ½ cup of the herb’s stems and leaves should be steeped in 2 cups of boiling water for 15 minutes. During convalescence this tea may be taken at the rate of, “several cups a day,” but for no longer than one week.
A Wound Tincture using St. John’s Wort
Teas and infusions are not the only way one can use St. John’s Wort in unusual ways. A tincture of St. John’s Wort can be made, as well. Such a tincture is a an especially good antiseptic to have on hand for treating dirty wounds, as it alleviates pain while it works by killing potentially infectious bacteria. To do so one needs 1 tablespoon St. John’s Wort and 1 cup Witch Hazel. These two ingredients are combined and allowed to meld together, covered, for two weeks before straining off the herbs and using the solution.
Soothing St. John’s Wort Oil
Cold infused oils are another method of herbal application. These can be used topically to moisturize the skin, in therapeutic massage and as soothing bath ingredients. In An Elders’ Herbal, David Hoffman suggests that the following infused oil of St. John’s Wort can be well utilized in all such cleansing and soothing applications.
Ingredients:
- Freshly opened St. John’s Wort flowers
- Olive Oil
To prepare:
- Crush the newly-opened flowers in a small amount of olive oil.
- Place this mixture in a glass jar and completely cover with additional olive oil.
- Allow the jar to sit, covered, in a warm place or in the sun for 3 – 6 weeks.
- When the oil is ready it will have turned a bright red color.
- To keep, press the oil through a cheese cloth and store it in a well-sealed dark glass container.
Other Possible Uses for St. John’s Wort
Aside from the mentioned traditional herbal applications for St. John’s Wort in promoting health and as an aid in alleviating sickness and disease, there may be many more newly discovered uses for this versatile herb on the horizon.
The American Cancer Society has reported that although the research is quite preliminary, a few laboratory studies are testing some substances from St. John's Wort as a cancer treatment. It has also been investigated as a possible treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), social phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and for its potential contribution to attempts at smoking cessation.
Reference
- American Cancer Society, St. John’s Wort. Retrieved - August 19, 2009.
- Hoffman, D. 1993. An elders’ herbal. One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767. Healing Arts Press.
- Tierra, M., 1980. The way of herbs. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Pocket Books.
- Todd, J. 1992. Jude’s herbal home remedies. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN, 55125. Llewellyn Publications.
Disclaimer
Information in this article is persented for educational purposes only. No diagnosis or treatment should be undertaken without first consulting a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. Neither suite101 nor the author will be responsible for readers' actions.
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