Also known as: Sedge , St. John’s Wort
Description :
Hypericum perforatum, known as perforate St John’s-wort, common Saint John’s wort and St John’s wort commonly the balm is also known as St. John’s wort or safflower, is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching the height of 80cm . It is the famous Balsam of the ancient Spartans, which the warriors used to heal wounds from the swords of opponents
Its leaves are small rounded, opposite, with small black spots on the edges. Still bearing small oleaginous glands that make it look like it has small holes from where the name was perforatum .
Flowers are bright yellow in color and appear on the top of the stem. It blooms from June to September
Main active substances: Hypercinin, Hyperforin
Mythology & History:
Ιn medieval Europe, the balsam was called “fuga daemonum,” a plant that expels the demons. He collected it at the feast of St. John and hanged it over the sacred icons of the house to remove the demons and protect the house from evil
Traditionally, the balm was used in the form of the “red oil” that produced it, leaving the tops of the flowers in the sun for several days in the sun .
Spatholado (St. John’s Wort oil) used it by the ancient Spartans, with whom they healed their wounds after the battle
It was used to treat malaria and choleras.
Traditional Medicine:
It has been shown to have antidepressant properties in countries like America and Germany as a drug against depression.
It is a tonic of liver and bile
It has antiseptic and healing properties, mainly in the form of St. John’s wort oil , disinfects the wounds, heals from burns even those caused by sun exposure.
As a tisane was used against stomach ulcer and for stomach disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Precautions:
We should not use balm at the same time as oral, cardiotonic, antiretroviral, anti-asthmatic or oral contraceptives as their action decreases.
The hypericin it contains may cause photosensitivity, which in turn causes inflammation in the skin when exposed to the sun.
However, this has not been found in cases of consumption of conventional doses of the beverage
