Description
St John’s wort is a gift from Mother Nature, which grows in Greek grasslands. Its properties are known since ancient times. Dioscurides and Galean knew its diuretic, healing and hemostatic abilities, beneficial for menstruation. In the Middle Ages magical properties were attributed to the plant, especially if the collection was on 24 June, the day that the memory of John the Baptist is celebrated. According to folklore this “super” herb was able to banish the evil spirits. Except of its medical abilities, St John’s wort was used as a basic material in clothing dyes production, coloring them yellow or red. At last, it was used by Egyptians as a mummification ingredient.
This herb seems to have many positive effects in human phycology, including anti-depressant, stress reliever and narcotic abilities. St. John’s wort has been tried for exhaustion, stop-smoking help, fibromyalgia, migraine and other types of headaches, muscle pain, nerve pain and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used for cancer, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Nowadays we can literally talk about a super herb!
St John’s wort is not used in any food recipes, but in Greece it is excessively used to flavor and enhance olive oil. Last but not least , it can be also consumed as a beverage.
February 3, 2015
Health Benefits of St John’s wort
Learn AboutSt. John's wortBenefits Health Benefits St. John's wort has long been used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory for strains, sprains, and contusions. St. John's wort has also been used to treat muscular spasms, cramps and tension that result in muscular spasms. St. John's wort is reported to relieve anxiety and tension and to act as [...]
February 3, 2015
Mythology – St. John’s Wort
Learn AboutSt. John's WortMythology St. John's Wort has been used in medicine for over 2,400 years. It was used in ancient Greece and prescribed by Hippocrates and others for insanity, among other problems. It was also used during the Crusades to treat battle wounds. It is associated with St. John the Baptist. It was gathered on [...]
February 12, 2015
Side Effects of St John’s Wort
Learn AboutSt. John's WortSide Effects St John’s wort is likely safe when taken by mouth for up to 12 weeks. Some evidence suggests it can be used safely for over one year. It can cause some side effects such as trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, stomach upset, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, skin rash, [...]
