St. Johns Wort
Hyperifolium perforatum(LINN)
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Names
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History
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Constituents
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Uses
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N.O.
Hypericaceae
Hypericum is derived from greek, meaning "over
an apparition"
Hypericon (greek),
Herb Sanctii loannis
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The
name "hypericum" refers to the belief that the herb
had obnoxious qualities which caused all evil spirits to fly away
after just one whiff of it. it was believed to purify the air.
In
full flower on St. Johns' Day (24 June) ,it is known as the Herb
of St. John the Baptist.
Native to
Europe and Western Asia. Naturalized in Americas and Australasia.
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volatile oil, called "red oil"
resin
a red pigmented
glycoside
hypericine
a polyphenolic flavonoid
hyperoside
tannin (8-9% in the whole herb and 16% in the flower)
carotene
Vitamin C.
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Fresh or
dried flowering plant:
vulnerary
weak diuretic
sedative
anti-inflammatory
anti-diarrhoeic
cholagogue
antidepressant
antiviral*
antibiotic
astringent
aromatic
expectorant and
nervine used for dysentery
worms
hysteria
for the suppression
of urine
externally to dispel hard tumors
ecchymosis
irregular
menstruation
improves circulation
violet red dye for silk or
wool.
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recent studies suggest an immune-
stimulant which may prevent AIDS
Contra-Indications
If eaten by light-skinned animals it may
cause photosensitization leading to swelling of the face, irritation of
unpigmented areas, possible death.
** What is ecchymosis?Check my 1983 Encyclopaedia and
Dictionary of medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health (Miller and Keane)
**ECCHYMOSIS:
( ek"i-mo'sis) pl. ecchymoses (Gr) a hemmhoragic
spot, larger than a petechia*, in the skin or mucous membrane, forming a
non-elevated, rounded or irregular, blue or purplish patch,
adj.,ecchymotic.
That's funny- I do not know what size a petechia is, or , for
that matter, what it is. My dictionary says:
*PETECCHIA:
purplish-red spot caused by intradermal or
submucous hemmhorage,which later turns blue or yellow.
Now you know, for what the investigation was worth. Your doctor
probably calls them blue blobs on the skin, for all I know!
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