St. Johns Wort (Hyperifolium perforatum{LINN}) Properties Page

St. Johns Wort

Hyperifolium perforatum(LINN)
Names	History	Constituents	Uses

N.O. Hypericaceae ,Hypericum is derived from greek, meaning "over an apparition" Hypericon (greek),Herb Sanctii loannis	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.	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.	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.

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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St. Johns Wort

Hyperifolium perforatum(LINN)

Names

History

Constituents

Uses

N.O. Hypericaceae ,Hypericum is derived from greek, meaning "over an apparition" Hypericon (greek),Herb Sanctii loannis

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.