St. John's wort (St. John's wort) is a perennial plant native to Europe, Africa and Asia. Its first medicinal use was recorded in Ancient Greece. Greek doctors (Pliny, Hippocrates) recommended this plant as a diuretic, for healing wounds, relieving menstrual pain and for treating intestinal infections.
But already at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, this plant began to be used to lift mood and reduce stress. Actually, the same as now. []
The benefits of St. John's wort for diseases of the nervous system
The above-ground part of the plant is replete with useful substances, among which the greatest benefits for damage to the nervous system are phytoncides, alkaloids, organic acids, and flavonoids.
Herbal materials also contain a small percentage of toxins, so caution is advised when using herbal remedies.
The rich composition causes a beneficial effect on the nervous system:
- the amount of serotonin, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system, increases;
- improves and regulates mood;
- vitality increases;
- the production of the happiness hormone is stimulated;
- sleep is normalized, insomnia disappears;
- relieves depression and stress;
- Failures and frustrations are suppressed.
Unlike most antidepressants, home remedies based on St. John's wort are not addictive. Even regular use of home medicines will not cause harm to the body, but only if the drugs are taken correctly - abuse can result in unpleasant consequences.
Mechanism of action
St. John's wort contains chemicals that lower protein levels and prevent the reabsorption of serotonin by nerve cells: these are flavonoids, tannins, essential oils, vitamins, organic acids, saponins.
St. John's wort creates an effect similar to placebo and is not inferior in effect to other drugs. It improves the action of the gastrointestinal tract, has anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and antitoxic effects. It also relieves vascular spasms, prevents the formation of stones, heals wounds, tones, strengthens and has a detrimental effect on viruses.
- colitis, gastritis;
- joint diseases;
- gynecological diseases;
- hypotension;
- skin diseases;
- diabetes;
- heart diseases.
Treatment of stress with calming tea
In case of stress, disorders, or malfunction of the nervous system, it is recommended to drink a soothing drink at home that will cope with the problem. You should not count on instant results - the maximum effect will be achieved only after two to three months of regular use. Step-by-step folk recipe:
- Turn dry St. John's wort into fine crumbs (you will need two full spoons of the herbal mixture).
- Place the plant material in the infuser.
- Bring water (230 ml) to a boil and steam the herbs.
- Cover the container tightly and leave for an hour.
It is recommended to drink the herbal drink twice a day. Dosage – 100 ml. Taking herbal medicine after a meal is considered the most effective; this reduces the risk of irritation of the mucous membranes.
Symptoms of somatized depression
Symptoms of somatized depression manifest themselves in a constant sad mood, melancholy, low self-esteem, lack of confidence in the future, views on the future appear only in “black” tones with a complete loss of optimism, loss of a sense of pleasure from a previously favorite activity or entertainment.
All these factors are reliably hidden behind complaints about somatovegetative symptoms that come to the fore. Most often, such patients are concerned about their unfavorable state of health, expressed by somatovegetative complaints, characterized by their multiplicity (from all systems and organs) and inconstancy.
Typical somatovegetative complaints are: fever or chills, stool disorder, attack of nausea and belching, increased heart rate, tachycardia, non-systemic dizziness, low-grade fever, increased sweating, lightheadedness, pain in various parts of the body.
Characteristic symptoms of somatized depression also include sleep disturbances, appetite (decrease or increase), changes in body weight (anorexia predominates), fatigue and the appearance of irritability for any reason, and decreased sexual activity.
Signs of masked depression also include a discrepancy between complaints and the nature of morphological changes, the absence of objective manifestations of a somatic disease, there is also a connection between well-being and the biological course of physiological functions, frequent visits to a doctor for help, ineffectiveness of therapy and improvement in condition after taking antidepressants.
The manifestation of the symptoms of the disease differs in seasonal manifestations.
Treatment of nervous instability and depression with St. John's wort infusion
For depression, nervous breakdowns, and unstable system functioning, it is recommended to undergo several courses of traditional treatment with St. John's wort infusion.
Article for you:
How to take activated charcoal for allergies
In addition to eliminating the problem, the home remedy actively affects the condition of the heart and vascular system (strengthens, increases the elasticity of the walls), and normalizes blood pressure.
Step by step recipe:
- Place crushed herbal raw materials (it is recommended to use only dry herbs) in a brewing container; you will need a teaspoon of herbal powder.
- Pour boiling water (250 ml) and stir.
- Leave covered for half an hour, strain, and carefully squeeze out the pulp using a thin cloth folded in several layers (usually gauze).
Alternative medicine recommends taking herbal medicine every two hours (at least six doses per day). Dosage – 25 ml.
Treatment should be carried out in courses - a month of admission, a week off. The results are noticeable after the first use of the home remedy. Alternative medicine recommends not to stop - you should consolidate the results and take the remedy for 2-3 courses.
Causes of anxiety
Fear and anxiety are emotional reactions to events happening around us. But they must be within the normal range, which does not throw you out of balance. These feelings mobilize a person to take actions that under normal conditions he would not dare to take. If anxiety and worry become constant companions, then it is necessary to urgently take action before they develop into permanent depression.
The main causes of such conditions are:
- constant tension due to external circumstances: scandals in the family, problems with loved ones, troubles at work;
- concomitant mental disorders;
- chronic fatigue syndrome, complicated by various disorders in the body;
- interaction with people who evoke negative feelings;
- fear of coming into contact with the surrounding reality in any manifestation due to errors in upbringing;
- a large number of traumatic factors in life;
- special conditions - pregnancy, session, death of loved ones, cases of violence, after the cessation of circumstances a person cannot get rid of stress;
- toxic relationships with other people;
- low self-esteem, constant feelings of guilt;
- heredity - a tendency to such conditions can be passed on from one generation to another.
Increasing tone and improving mood with St. John's wort tincture
If there is a decrease in tone, bad mood, disruption of the nervous system, or insomnia, it is recommended to take St. John's wort tincture.
Home medicine, in addition to eliminating unpleasant problems, will also relieve regular headaches, migraines, and protect the body from negative external influences (the remedy will be especially useful if there is increased susceptibility to meteorological changes). Preparation:
- Place dry grass (20 grams) broken into small pieces in a dark glass container.
- Pour the plant mass with homemade double-purified pervach and good store-bought vodka (450 ml).
- Seal the bottle, place in a dark place, cooking time is two weeks.
- While infusing, shake the bottle regularly to mix the contents.
- Strain and store in a cool, dark place.
Take three times a day, the recommended dosage in unofficial medicine is 30 drops. If the body is hypersensitive to alcohol-containing drugs, it is better to use the product after diluting it with clean water.
Carefully monitor the body's reaction to the alcohol component. If the course of treatment is accompanied by side effects, you will have to stop taking it further and turn to more gentle decoctions and infusions.
The duration of treatment with St. John's wort tincture is two weeks. If a home remedy is used against serious disorders of the nervous system, you will have to extend the course - use the composition for at least a month.
Article for you:
How to treat a cough with sage: recipes for preparation and use
Instructions for use
St. John's wort is available in various forms:
- Lozenges.
- Capsules.
- Liquid tinctures.
- Powder in bags for brewing.
You can find everything in the nearest pharmacies, or in online stores like iHerb.
The dosage should be observed based on the release form, as well as the instructions on the package.
In capsule form: 450 mg 2 times a day (total 900).
The effects appear after a couple of weeks.
Treatment of neuroses, depression, nervous disorders with herbal mixture
In case of serious dysfunctions of the nerve system, it is recommended to enhance the work of St. John's wort with additional herbal components. The herbal collection has a wide range of effects - it calms, strengthens the nerves, relieves irritability, promotes sound healthy sleep, and treats neuroses.
It is also recommended to use home-prepared medicine for vegetative-vascular dystonia. To prepare homemade medicine, it is recommended to use a combination of herbs:
- valerian (roots);
- peppermint (leaves);
- St. John's wort (herb);
- hops (cones);
- lemon balm (leaves).
Take the herbal ingredients equally; to prepare a homemade sedative you will need 20 grams. herbal collection. Steam the healing mixture with a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Strain using gauze folded in several layers.
Drink the herbal medicine in small (only 20-25 ml) portions throughout the day. The duration of treatment is one and a half months. If the problem cannot be completely eliminated, continue the course after taking a break (7-10 days).
During drug therapy prescribed by a specialist, it is prohibited to simultaneously take pharmaceutical drugs or herbal compositions. It is necessary to observe an interval between medications - 1-2 hours.
Contraindications for the use of St. John's wort, side effects
The herb, despite its numerous healing qualities, has contraindications that should be carefully studied in advance - this will avoid deterioration in health and general well-being.
The main prohibition is the period of bearing a baby. During pregnancy, to relieve disorders and depression, it is recommended to use more gentle compositions of alternative medicine, after consulting a specialist. Breastfeeding is another no-no for using herbal medicines.
While taking contraceptive medications and antibacterial drugs, you should also avoid using St. John's wort. The active elements contained in the herb can react with some components of medications.
Side effects due to overdose, individual intolerance, improper use of St. John's wort, and the presence of contraindications occur quite often.
Typically, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract, increased excitability, headaches, and attacks of nausea are alarming. The skin may become covered with a profuse rash and spots.
Article for you:
How to normalize blood pressure with black cumin seeds and oil: recipes for preparation and use
The healing properties of St. John's wort for women
Traditional medicine quite actively uses low-toxic plants with a small concentration of poison for treatment. Perhaps the most commonly used plant is St. John's wort, which got its name because of its ability to harm medium-sized animals.
It is also called “hare grass” because it is hares who are most often poisoned by this plant. But it would be a big mistake to think that St. John's wort is very harmful. It can cure many diseases, but it is especially useful for women. In this article we will look at what St. John's wort is, its medicinal properties and contraindications for women.
This plant has been used in gynecological practice for a very long time, even when there was no traditional medicine. That is why St. John's wort is considered a “female” herb. So what can she treat?
Why is St. John's wort contraindicated during pregnancy? The fact is that the active substances of this plant can cause menstrual bleeding, which can lead to miscarriage.
While taking it, you should not drink alcoholic beverages. The active components of the herb reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
St. John's wort is contraindicated in epilepsy. In this case, the danger is not the disease itself, but the drugs used, with which this plant is incompatible.
Thus, we found out that many diseases can be treated with St. John’s wort. It is used as tinctures, decoctions, ointments, and compresses.
It is especially effective for women, curing their delicate problems. But it’s still better to consult with your doctor so as not to harm your body.
klumba.guru
What do you need to remember?
To prevent traditional treatment from ending in unpleasant surprises in the form of side effects or lack of results, it is recommended to remember a few rules to avoid problems. Basic requirements for successful recovery from diseases of the nervous system:
- It is recommended to use only St. John's wort in treatment - other types of herbs do not differ in healing qualities;
- before starting the course, familiarize yourself with contraindications - the presence of prohibitions should be the reason for refusing to use home remedies, otherwise it is easy to cause serious complications;
- consultation with a specialist is an indispensable condition for successful treatment; without the doctor’s permission, consuming even weakly saturated decoctions or infusions is strictly prohibited;
- remember the toxicity of the herb - only the correct use of herbal remedies will provide positive results;
- After the first doses, carefully monitor the body’s reaction - if you are individually intolerant to the herb, you will have to stop taking it;
- When preparing herbal formulations, strictly follow the recipe - adding additional components; exceeding the specified amount of the active ingredient is not recommended.
In folk treatment using St. John's wort, it is also important to observe the duration of the course. It is recommended to allow the body to rest by maintaining intervals.
St. John's wort is a plant famous for its many healing qualities, which alternative medicine offers to address health problems.
Herbal remedies have a positive effect on all diseases of the nervous system, while simultaneously having an additional effect on all human systems and organs.
It should be remembered that in case of serious depression, the effectiveness of herbal medicine will not be enough to cope with the disease - with the permission of a specialist, it is better to use the herb as an auxiliary therapy.
St. John's wort during pregnancy
St. John's wort can be prescribed for depression to women during pregnancy, as well as after childbirth, if the doctor decides that the expected benefit outweighs the possible risk. The likelihood of side effects from taking a plant extract in tablets or capsules is several times lower than from “chemical” antidepressants. Do not take alcohol tinctures or other home remedies made from St. John's wort. Of course, it is advisable to use psychotherapy to lift the mood and relieve anxiety in a pregnant woman, without resorting to medications.
St. John's wort extract did not have a negative effect on the course of pregnancy in laboratory rats and other animals. In 1998, the medical journal JAMA published an article describing two cases in which pregnant women took St. John's wort. Both pregnancies ended successfully - the babies were born on time, normal, without abnormalities. Based on the available evidence, St. John's wort cannot be considered safe during pregnancy. But the danger from it is less than from “chemical” antidepressants.
St. John's wort for children
At least 3 studies have confirmed that St. John's wort is advisable to prescribe to children and adolescents if they need to take antidepressants. A standardized extract of this plant was used in dosages of 150-1800 mg per day. He helped about 80% of patients. Side effects were rare and not severe. One of the articles containing this information was published in 2003 in the professional journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
