St. John's Wort
In modern times, St. John’s Wort is one of the most prescribed s for mild to moderate depression in many European countries and has become one of the top selling dietary supplements in the United States. Some of the many benefits of this herb are as follows: it helps alleviate psychological symptoms of mild to moderate depression, including despondency, poor circulation, and inability to perform daily tasks, It eases physical fatigue, It helps to relieve the anxiety and insomnia that often accompany depression, and just about any disorder with regards to depression.
A shrubby perennial plant. The woody, branched root produces many round stems which put out runners from the base. The leaves are opposite, oblong to linear, covered with transparent oil glands, giving the appearance of holes. The bright yellow flowers are in flat-topped cymes, the petals are dotted with black along the margins. The fruit is a 3-celled capsule. The plant has a turpentine-like odor. Found in the eastern U.S., along the Pacific Coast and many parts of the world in dry, gravelly soils, fields and sunny places.
The leaves are used in salads. It is a antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, expectorant, sedative,and vulnerary. The calming properties of the herb have been useful in treating bedwetting, insomnia, to calms nerves, treats depression, menstrual difficulties, and uterine cramping. A tea made from the flowers is historically used for, headache, insomnia, jaundice. Steep 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes, covered. Take warm, 1/2 cup before breakfast and 1/2 cup before going to bed. The oil extract is a good external application for burns, wounds, sores, bruises. CAUTION: Its use may make the skin sensitive to light.
Manufactured by Best Botanicals.
