Herbal remedies using St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Also known as perforate and common St. John's wort

The use of herbal remedies, including the herb St John's wort (also known as perforate or common St. John's wort), classified as Hypericum perforatum, are popular as an alternative to standard Western allopathic medicine for a variety of problems, including fighting depression, a liver tonic as well as an antiviral.

Hypericum perforatum is an effective remedy for various ailments, and this natural holistic approach to health is becoming more and more popular, but should NOT replace conventional medicine or prescription drugs.

Hypericum perforatum

St John's Wort is also known as Hypericum perforatum, and has certain therapeutic properties and the reported benefits of using it internally, in the form of a herbal tea (infusion) are listed below.

St John's wort is used for the following

Hypericum perforatum benefits:

• fighting depression
• relieves menopausal symptoms
• antispasmodic
• sedative
• antiviral (not to be used by HIV / Aids patients)
• liver tonic
• enuresis
• shingles
• fibrositis
• PS: Not to be taken whilst on antidepressant medication

Which part to use for St John's Wort herbal tea

The leaves and flowers are used for making the brew.

PLEASE NOTE: Not to be used internally when taking oral contraceptives, warfarin, digoxin, anticonvulsants, theophylline, SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors), triptans, cyclosporin as well as various anti-virals)

Making herbal tea

The standard way to make an infusion, unless otherwise specified, is to pour a cup of boiling water over the material to be infused, let it stand for 5 minutes, strain it, and drink it.

• Fresh plant material
  • When the recipe refers to fresh plant material to be used, a 1/4 cup fresh material is used, following the method above.
• Dried material
  • When the recipe refers to using dried material, use 2 teaspoons of material when making it.
• Bark or seeds
  • Should the recipe call for bark or seeds to be used, use 2 teaspoons of seeds or 1 tablespoon of bark.
• Sweetening your infusion
  • You could sweeten your health drink with honey, should you so require, and a dash of fresh lemon juice may also enhance the taste.

General warning when using herbal infusions

• Only use the herbal material if you are 100% sure that it really the herb in question.
• If you are ill or have any health concerns, consult your health practitioner.
• Do not continuously drink the same infusion. At maximum use for 10 days and then skip 5 days.
• Only have one cup of herbal infusion per day, except during acute periods - such as when you have a cold or flu, you can then have it three times a day, but for a maximum of 4 days.
• When you use herbal remedies, be aware that they can be extremely powerful, and should you have any side effects when taking these infusions, immediately stop using the herb and consult your health practitioner right away.

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