John's Wort ( Hypericum
perforatum ) is a bushy plant that can be
grown almost anywhere and grows wild easily. It has been known as a
medicinal herb for literally centuries - use of St. John's Wort dates
back to the ancient Greeks.
Today, St. John's Wort is widely used in
Europe as treatment for
mild depression and for anxiety. It is being more accepted by the US
medical community as well.
St. John's Wort has antiseptic properties,
and shows potential use
as an anti-viral; studies are underway as to its effectiveness in
halting the progress of the HIV virus, and against other viruses such
as HPV, Hepetitus-B and Herpes.
St. John's Wort is also believed to repair
nerve damage, and is in
use as an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Conditions as diverse as
menstrual cramps and arthritis have been said to improve with the
introduction of St. John's Wort.
Metaphysically St. John's Wort is considered
a specific for
protection and healing. Sprinkle it around your property to prevent
accidents or the ill wishes of others. For its medicinal benefits,
drink in an infusion.
People who are taking St. John's Wort are
advised to limit their
exposure to sunlight, since it makes fair-skinned people
photo-sensitive, and they are prone to sunburn under less sun exposure
than they are used to.
If you are taking prescribed
anti-depressants, you should avoid St.
John's Wort, since they can have unfortunately interactions. Pregnant
or lactating women should seek the advice of their physician before
taking St. John's Wort.
St. John's Wort may interact with many
prescription drugs, including
anti-seizure medicine, anti-coagulants, and oral contraceptives.