St. John's Wort: Useful Properties and Limitations in Use
There are contraindications. Consult your doctor.
St. John's Wort is a herb that is widely distributed in temperate climates. This inconspicuous plant has many healing properties that are worth knowing.
What useful properties of St. John's Wort make it a popular remedy in folk medicine?
Useful Properties of St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort has received high praise among medical studies. It is used to produce the herbal antibiotics imanin and novoimanin, which are used to treat severe burns, purulent wounds, and acute respiratory inflammation, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, as well as abscess, phlegmon, and mastitis.
In folk medicine, St. John's Wort is considered an effective remedy for reducing inflammation, toning the body, and as an astringent for cough, diarrhea, colic, hemoptysis, and liver diseases. It is also beneficial for strengthening gums and combating parasites.
St. John's Wort helps in treating ulcers, rheumatism, gout, as well as various nervous disorders and depressive states.
Using an infusion or tincture of St. John's Wort at home helps to strengthen gums and eliminate bad breath.
The useful properties of St. John's Wort are also applied in cases of kidney diseases, digestive tract disorders (diarrhea, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer), as well as in liver and gallbladder diseases.
How to Prepare St. John's Wort Decoction
To prepare a decoction, take 1 tablespoon of chopped St. John's Wort, pour it with a glass of water, and boil for 15 minutes. After cooling, strain the broth and take it in several doses throughout the day.
Preparation of St. John's Wort Alcoholic Tincture
For the tincture, you will need 4 tablespoons of St. John's Wort, which should be poured with 100 ml of alcohol and infused in a dark place for 10 days. After that, strain the tincture. The daily dose should not exceed 50 drops three times a day. For gargling, dilute 50 drops of tincture in a glass of water.
Contraindications for the Use of St. John's Wort Preparations
St. John's Wort is contraindicated for patients with hypertension. People with low blood pressure may benefit from St. John's Wort as it helps to raise it.
Pregnant women should also avoid consuming St. John's Wort.
St. John's Wort has a mild toxic effect, so it should not be used for extended periods. It is recommended to take it in cycles and have breaks of at least one month.
Prolonged use of St. John's Wort (more than 3 weeks) may lead to temporary impotence in men, which resolves after discontinuing the medication.
In summer, it is better to refrain from using St. John's Wort, especially for those prone to pigment spots, as it increases skin sensitivity to ultraviolet rays.
It is essential to strictly follow the dosage of St. John's Wort preparations to avoid possible side effects, such as intestinal pain and spasms.
St. John's Wort is contraindicated for allergy sufferers. In case of skin rashes, it is necessary to stop using it immediately. When using and reprinting the material, an active link to the website www.webzdrav.ru is mandatory.
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