St. John\’s wort is a perennial shrub that has multiple bright-yellow flowers growing on it. Generally, it is found in open fields throughout Europe and the United States. It can be found growing in sunny and dry areas and is often found growing in the wild in northern California and southern Oregon. The herb has been used for thousands of years to heal and strengthen the body.

Many people from ancient Greece and in the Middle Ages believed that St. John\’s wort contained magical properties. This herb was used by Dioscorides, Pliny, and Hippocrates medicinally for a variety of ailments. When pressed between the fingers, the flowers bleed a bright red juice, which has led to the belief that it symbolizes the blood of Christ or the blood of St. John.

In his book The Complete Herbal, publishd in 1649, Nicholas Culpeper mentioned St. John\’s wort. He suggested using the herb for conditions such as malaria, worms, injuries, bruises, open obstructions, swelling, sciatica, and as an antidote to poison, venom, or infection. In Europe, it was used during Crusade battles to treat war injuries.

This herb has been used to rid the chest and lungs of mucus in cases like bronchitis and other related problems. St. John\’s wort is also used to treat nervous system conditions like neuralgia, anxiety, and nervous tension. Additionally, it can help to relieve pain; reduce swelling; treat abscesses, burns, bruises, and insect bites; and ease the pain of rheumatism and arthritis. St. John\’s wort is also used as an excellent blood purifier. It is even recommended for bed-wetting, colds, and gastric ulcers.

In Europe and Russia, St. John\’s wort is used extensively. It is currently official in the pharmacopoeias in many Eastern European countries. Research has determined that the herb contains diuretic properties, strengthens the capillaries, dilates coronary arteries, prevents tumors, helps with diarrhea and viruses, and kills germs. The herb also has antifungal properties and is very effective in treating nervous disorders. This herb contains biovlavonoids such as rutin, quercetn, and hyperoside, which may potentially explain the effect it has on arteries and capillaries. St. John\’s wort is also a very promising herb for the immune system and for protecting the circulatory system.

Currently, St. John\’s wort is being studied as a treatment against HIV infection. In some studies it has been shown to contain anti-HIV activity. One study even showed significant improvement in T cell count of HIV patients who took hypericin daily. The subjects\’ counts increased by thirteen percent after one month. Another study on sixteen HIV patients found that only two acquired an infection during the forty months of observation. This is extremely significant, as infections often occur in HIV patients due to a comprised immune system. The patients\’ T cell count were stable or even increased during the observation period. This herb is known to combat all sorts of infections including bacterial, fungal, and viral, in vitro.

Most commonly, European physicians recommend St. John\’s wort for cases of mild to moderate depression. The herb\’s greatest role has been as an anti-depressive agent. At least twenty-eight controlled studies in Europe have found that patients have less anxiety, show more interest in their surroundings, and have fewer symptoms associated with clinical depression when taking St. John\’s wort. The herb also relieved symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness.

Author Bio: Fight Stress Naturally and improve your health and wellness with St. John\’s Wort. VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/health-wellness/

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: St. Johns Wort, Fight Stress, Fight Anxiety, Hypericin Stress