Portfolios – Page 5 – Natural Herbs

THE LADY’S MANTLE (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-13

Description

The lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) belongs to the Rosaceae family. It grows on wet fields, in the mountains, fringe on forests and along roads.

It has semicircle leaves with 7-9 lobes on short and woody rhizome. The very modest flowers are yellow-greenish and group into small umbrellas. It blossoms from April to June.

Traditionally was called in different ways, the most common names are: Our Lady’s mantle or Our Lady’s palm, wolf-feet etc.

The leaves collect in their middle the dew-fall and it shines in the morning sun. It is delectable to wash our face or eyes with the water collected there.

Active substances

It contains tannins, proantocianidines, flavonoids, bitter substance, salycilic acid and saponin. It contains zinc that is a main compound of several enzymes.

Wildcrafting

It is a protected wild plant, its wildcrafting is prohibited. Leaves and flowers of the cultivated ones can be collected from May to the end of July. Dry it in the shadow, protected from direct sunlight, then store it in canvas- or paper bags.

Curative effects

It has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, astringent and antispasmodic effects. It is a plant mainly for women. It improves the circulation of the small pelvic and strengthens the uterus.

It is very useful on case of irregular periods, gynecological inflammations or after pregnancy:

– tempers pain in case of irregular period, menstrual cramps;
– combined with milfoil, it helps to fix the period of teenage girls in the puberty;
– it can be used as a supplemental treatment for gynecological inflammations, such as white discharge (leucorrhea), inflammation of uterine mucosa and the ovaries. In these cases besides drinking lady’s mantle tea, it is useful to make a hip-bath;
– just like raspberry leaves, it helps conception. It is recommended to drink raspberry leaf tea in the first part of the period, while lady’s mantle tea in the second part of the period;
– during pregnancy it prevents abortion: from the 3^rd month of pregnancy drink 1 cup of tea daily. It is also good against premature birth;
– after birth it strengthens the ligaments, this way helps improving hypogastric flabbiness: cream your belly with shepherd’s purse tincture;
– it can be used for climax related problems; combined with hop might help in case of diseasedness;
– lady’s mantle tea remedies incontinence of urine, especially if combined with shepherd’s purse tincture applied on the belly.

Other beneficial effects

– in case of muscular dystrophy is more effective if combined with shepherd’s purse tincture,
– after extracting a tooth – it is a good astringent,
– it has a constrictive effect in case of poor circulation in the vein,
– it is good for gastro-enteritis thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect.

Usage

Tea – infuse 2 teaspoons of dried leaves and flowers for 8-10 minutes, then strain and drink it. A tea made of 25 g drugs covers the 1/5 part of our zinc necessities.

Wash off, poultice – can be used for purulent wounds, for treating ulcers, but also against cellulite, stripes formed on skin and elder skin.

Rinsing – in case of gingivitis.

Hip-bath – in case of white discharge, menstrual cramps, climax related complaints – boil 4 spoons of lady’s mantle in half a liter of water, strain and pour it into your bath.

Poultice – wash the fresh plant, put it in steam, smash it and place on your belly, around your uterus.

Tincture – fill a bottle with fresh plant, then cover it with cereal- or fruit-schnapps, let it macerated for 3 weeks. Usage: 3×12 drops before meal, as a 21-day-cure.

The newest usage: placed on cut wound and it heals very fast.

Attention!

A consumption exceeding 2 cups daily might have a destructive effect on liver.

THE SPRUCE (Picea abies)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-12

Description

The spruce (Picea abies) belongs to the family of Pinaceae and the subfamily of Abietoideae.

The stinging pine needles are four-pointed, positioned dispersedly. The thin cone-scales do not fall down. The pine needles grow one-by-one arranged in a spiral, every needle having a pillow. The pillows make the branch coarse after the needles fall (the other sorts of pine have smoother branches).

The weeping pine-cones fall at around two years of age. Spruces can be recognized from their cone formed crown and turning branches. The roots are depthless and widely expanded. The thin crust is scaled.

Evergreen pines are used for thousands of years. Their evergreen needles symbolize eternity, life-affirmation and unfailing energy. Ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as the Middle Age knew and used pine sprouts, cones, seeds, resin and its volatile oil.

Active substances

The volatile oil of spruce is composed of monoterpene carbon-hydrogen and of the carboxylic acid ester of this. Spruce resin is composed of diterpenes and lignans.

Wildcrafting

Fresh shoots, sprouts and conifers are picked and processed for syrup in spring.

Curative effects

Strengthens the immune system and enhances appetite. In the old times spruce was considered as strengthener of lungs, that heals the respiratory system and smoothes cough. It has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, heals sore throat, but also arthritis, muscle pain and gout. It is a good depressant. Its resin heals wounds.

Use

Syrup from spring sprouts of spruce tempers cough and strengthen the immune system both cold or boiled: make layers of sprouts and sugar in a jar and maturate it for 1-2 months, then keep it in the pantry; it can be used continuously in tea during the whole winter and it has a very good effect since the sprouts are raw.

The sprouts can be preserved and maturated also in honey, the pine honey is very tasty and effective. If maturated together, the honey will be more liquid and a bit sour, but preserved for wintertime. If strained, the sprouts can also be used for making tea.

Pine honey
Pine honey is a remedy in case of sore throat and cough spasm. It is made from spruce sprouts in spring in order to assure plenty of maturation time until winter. Check the trees and pick the sprouts when they grow but aren’t woody yet. Wash the sprouts with hot water, let them dry and put into a jar. Fill the jar with honey and place it on sun for 1-2 months. The sun will naturally extract the active substances and volatile oils of spruce sprouts. After maturation strain the honey. The rest of sprouts can be washed with tea in order not to waste any drops of honey. You will enjoy and evaluate the effects of pine honey in wintertime when you have a sore throat.

Pine-cone syrup is also very effective and contains valuable substances.

Its volatile oil is antiseptic, strengthening and refreshing. Pine oil massage is good against tiredness and hangover.

The infusion made of end of the twigs, sprouts and seeds, was used in baths for arthritis, muscle pains, myasthenia, gout – it was also used for cold, thanks to its sudorific effect.

Foot-bath was used against foot perspiration.

Rinsing with spruce tea helps in case of angina.

Inhalation with spruce infusion is good for pulmonary- and respiratory diseases, as well as for frontal sinusitis.

Spruce resin is considered as the best wound healer in case of any cut or stab wound, crusted hand- and foot-skin. The resin is a thick mixture containing resin acid and volatile oils. The resin is produced by needle trees in order to protect themselves against insects. It has a strong antimicrobial effect and hinders bacteria emerge. In traditional medicine all over the world spruce unguent is used for healing and treating arthritis, boils, burn wounds, cold, tuberculosis, cough, diarrhea and other digestion problems, headache, sore throat, rheumatism, stones, tumors and wounds. Spruce resin was used by American Indians for healing skin injuries or cuts.

The unguent can be used on the whole body, several times a day. Put the unguent on the surface and slightly rub in. It is recommended to wash the skin surface with hot water before using the unguent; on clean surface it will be more effective. In order to achieve a better effect, bandage the creamed surface and roll into foil.

Wound unguent can be made of turpentine oil of redwood and white liquid paraffine, if melted and mixed. It prevents infections.

The pine-cone seeds are known for ages. The pine seed contains very valuable substances. It was winkled out from cone by hand; the rest of the seeds were popped out in the oven. It is edible both raw and roasted or ground. It gets rank very fast. The seeds of different pine sorts are edible. It is used as a spice in Asia and Italy in salads or meat. It was known by Indians, Roman soldiers and also in the Eastern cultures, but also by our ancestors.

THE RASPBERRY (Rubus idaeus)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-12

Description

The raspberry (Rubus idaeus) belongs to the family of roses (Rosaceae), is native to Europe, North-Asia and Japan. The fruits and leaves of raspberry were known already in the ancient times and used for its curative effects.

It grows spiny shoots and propagates from rhizomes. It has characteristic white flowers and red succulent fruits with a special beloved flavor. It has serrated leaves.

In our region it grows on hills and highland, in clearings appear first the wild strawberry, than wild raspberry and last the blackberry bushes.

Active substances

The leaves contain aromatic substances, organic acids, L-ascorbic acid and tanning substances. Its high level of magnesium, phosphor, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, D and E remedy anemia and strengthen teeth, nails and bones.

The fruits have a strong antioxidant and tumor inhibitor effect.

Wildcrafting

The leaves are harvested at the beginning of summer, before bloom, since they have more active substances than after ripening of the fruits. Let the leaves dry in the shadow, spread over, protected from the direct sunshine, then store in paper or canvas bag.

Curative effects

The substances extracted from the leaves are used by diabetics, against kidney- and bladder diseases, for those suffering from auricular gout.

Thanks to its constricting effect it is used from time immemorial both in the ayurvedic and traditional medicine for gynecological problems.

Its muscle-tone intensifier effect holds the uterus-, vagina- and rectal-prolapse, attenuates incontinence of urine, varicose and rectum problems. It might also help in case of diarrhea or nausea.

Gynecological effects:
It urges ovulation and shorten the period, this way it is useful for teenagers with irregular period or later against menstrual cramps and pains, especially in the first part of the period.
2 cups daily helps in conception, ovulation and impregnation, improves the quality of the ovum.
Mixed with dandelion tea, it helps conception delays caused by insulin-problems.

Regulates the function of uterus-muscle – a raspberry leaf tea cure (1 cup daily) for 12 weeks is recommended after impregnation and for 2-3 weeks around giving birth.

In case of inflammation in urinary tract and kidney we need to consume lots of liquid – leach – or a mixture of herb tea: ¼ raspberry leaves, ¼ blueberry leaves and ½ urinative tea.

Gout – ½ raspberry leaves, ½ blueberry leaves tea cure for 3 weeks, repeated several times, keeping a pause in-between. It reduces urine acid.

Raspberry tea is recommended daily for invigoration and refreshment.

Use

Tea – 1 teaspoon of dried leaves infused with one cup of hot water, sieved after 8-10 minutes.

Face tonic – for acne must be combined with tea (internal use also).

Irrigation – in case of white discharge.

The fruit is very tasty for jelly or syrup and it also has antioxidant effect.

Long time ago the stem was cooked for a soup in the spring, having a very pleasant reddish color, or together with other spring herbs growing around the house was prepared a herb soup on Holy Thursday.

The fresh leaves and shoots can be also used in salads.

Attention!

Not recommended:
– for children,
– for nursing mother,
– for pregnant women until the 36^th week of pregnancy,
– for people with constipation.

THE COMMON COMFREY (Symphytum officinale)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-11

Description

The common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial herb of the family Boraginaceae. It grows on river meadow, dikes, in damp and grassy places. The plant grows from a black rhizome and blooms during the whole summer. Its spear leaves and stem are covered with hair. The flowers are first purple and then become blue. This perennial plant grows up to 50-80 cm, its finger-thick, outside black inside yellow, slimy roots go a few meters deep into the ground.

It propagates by itself or it is propagated by root cuttings.

Traditionally it is also called: knitbone, boneset or comfrey root.

Active substances

The drug from its root contains allantoin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 8-10% tannins and mucilage. The leaves contain a significant quantity of tannins, alkaloids, as well as proteins, glicozide and choline.

Wildcrafting

The drug is contained in the roots of the plant, picked from the end of autumn (when the leaves dried off) till early spring (when first leaves appear). Sometimes the leaves are also used; they need to be collected before bloom. Wildcrafting comfrey must happen in dry weather. Pay attention to gather only healthy leaves and roots, separated the two different kinds of drugs. Use a basket, paper bag, paper box or a net.

Wash the roots in clear water in order to remove soil and impurities.

It is recommended to dry the drug in a warm but airy space, without piling up several layers in order to dry it as fast as possible, especially the root drug. The roots stay be white inside, but the leaves a lighter nuance of green, if dried properly.

Curative effects

It is used for treating poorly healing wounds, as well as for arthritis and rheumatic pains.

Usage

The roots –fresh or dried- might be used externally as a powder, in unguents, tinctures or for poultice. The unguent made of comfrey contains allantoin and helps the cell regeneration process, i.e. cell division, cell growth, epidermis formation, as well as generates lymph if joints lose liquid.

Having an anti-inflammatory effect, the unguent, poultice and tincture helps healing fractures, sprains, contusions, rheumatics, as well as purulent wounds or other injuries.

The leaves are used fresh or dried for tea, bath or hip-bath. The tea alone or mixed with marigold can be used as a treatment of duodenum and gastric ulcer. The tea made of the roots has similar effects. The main ingredients of calming and wound-healing tea are comfrey and marigold. Since it leads to liver failure (due to its large quantity of pyrrolizidine alkaloid) and contains carcinogenic substances, consult your doctor before using it. Its long-term ingestion is not recommended at all.

It is recommended as a bath for rheumatic pains, gout, vertebral disk injuries and as a hip-bath for varicose vein, as well as an aftercare in case of fractures.

We also use it in mixtures for bronchial problems, since it has cough sedative effects. The strong extract of the root is recommended for rinsing the mouth or inflamed throat.

From my own experience: my younger son had AD (atopic dermatitis). It means the inflammation of a large surface of skin that causes dry and itching spots. The marigold unguent tempered the inflammation, but did not help regenerating the skin and the dry spots. Then I prepared an unguent from pork fat and comfrey which grows in our garden. I dag out in winter 4 roots, washed and chopped it into small pieces. I melted 200 g of pork fat and put the root pieces in warm fat for 5-6 minutes, then let it cool. On the following day I heated up the mixture again and strained the fat. I keep the unguent in the fridge.

I creamed the skin of my child every morning with homemade marigold unguent, then with comfrey unguent. In two weeks the recovery was visible, the spots withdrew. I apply the unguent in the evening on the spots left.

Beside this my son got a homeopathic treatment, as well as gemmotherapy, but those did not remedy the dry skin spots. The comfrey unguent was the only curative balm.

THE COMMON VIOLET (Viola odorata)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-11

Description

The common violet (Viola odorata) belongs to Violaceae family that consists of more than 450 species.

Its species are native to tropical and subtropical regions, as well as to the north and south temperate zones spreading to Tierra del Fuego, South-Africa and New Zeeland. Some of the species in the Andes mountain range grows at 4600 m.

The leaves of violets are diversified; they often form a rosette of leaves. Some species have lanceolate leaves, while others wide, pinnate or escutcheon-formed ones. Those growing in high mountains are small, leathery, angular, and often scute-like.

It has a scented flower composed of five petals, the middle one weeping download. The flower contains volatile oils, while the leaves contain mucous substances. The two long stamens stretch to the middle of the lower petal. The pistil is split in many ways; might be broadened or cored out. When it does not flower at all, automatic self-pollination happens (cleistogamy).

Most of the species are perennial herbaceous plants, some sub-shrubs and one group of biennial herbaceous plant.

Just like the other violet species, the flowers of common violet are pollinated by insects. When the bugs come to collect nectar, they move the stamens and the pollen falls on them. The type of bug visiting the flower depends on the length of spur. It can be very short (for instance the yellow violet (Viola biflora)), but also very long, such as the flower of Viola calcarata.

Active substances

The parts above the ground contain volatile oils; the rhizome is rich in methyl-salacilate, saponine and mucous substances. The plant itself contains tannins, flavonoides and a small quantity of volatile oil (with salicil acid methyl ester content), as well as L-ascorbic acid.

Legends

An ancient Greek mythology originates the Latin name of violet from Io. The king of gods, Zeus fell in love with a virgin called Io. In order to protect the girl from the anger of his wife, he changed her into a heifer grazing on a violet field. That is why the violet became the symbol of love and fertility.

Another Greek legend tells how these fragile flowers became to world: they appeared in the footprints of Persephone, the goddess of spring. It seems to be a very logical explanation, since violets grow from March, the beginning of spring. There are commemorating fests for example in Bretagne (France), where people plant violet in order to call forth spring.

There is a saying “modest like a violet”. These small flowers hiding in the woods, scrublands, gardens fascinate us with their scent, beauty and curative effects. Modesty refers only to their appearance.

Traditional names for violet: violetta, pretty violet, Venus-flower.

Wildcrafting

Collect violet flowers and leaves separated. Do not mix stem and root when wildcrafting common violet. The rhizome is picked in February, March or autumn. We pick the flowers when they fully blossom.

Curative effects

It can be used for all kind of acute and chronic respiratory diseases, cough and catarrh or bronchitis. The tea is a remedy in case of sleeping disorders, over-excitement, and heartache combined with anxiety or hysteria.

It tempers cough, it works as a natural expectorant. It can also be used externally for skin diseases – for instance: cracked skin and breast.
Usage

Infusion: Put 1 teaspoon of dried flower in boiling water for 10 minutes. Consume 3 cups daily.

Decoction: Boil 3 g of dried violet rhizome in 150 ml of water for 3 minutes. Strain it in 30 minutes, sweeten and consume 1 spoonful 4 times daily for 2-3 weeks.

Syrup: Mix 100 g dried violet flowers and 500 g sugar in 300 g water.

Tincture: Macerate 10 g of violet green and 10 g of thyme in 250 g alcohol for a couple of days. Take 10-20 drops on a sugar cube daily in case of the diseases mentioned above.

Candied violet petals: Take one egg-white and whip it. Put the violet petals into the whip, then into powder sugar. Dry them at a hot space and keep it in closed bottles.

Special violet cream: Heat up 2.5 dl cream with 10 dkg sugar and add a handful of fresh violet petals. Strain it in 15 minutes. Mix 6 egg yolks in 7.5 dl cream and add to it slowly the cream with violet. Boil on steam to get a thick cream, and then add 25 g of gelatin and whip of 4 egg-whites. Pour it into glasses and decorate with violet petals.

THE COMMON MISTLETOE (Viscum album L.)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-04

Description

The common mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is a hemiparasite, evergreen plant, native to Europe, North Asia and North Africa. It should not be mixed up with yellow mistletoe or Loranthus europaeus that grows on oak trees and can be recognized from its yellow color. That one is not an herb and is a deciduous plant. The common mistletoe is hanging on the guest tree in different forms and its diameter can reach 3m, its height 1m and it lives up to 70 years. The flowers appear at the bottom of the leaves between March and May and are yellow color. The fruit of mistletoe is a white, semitransparent berry that appears in November-December. It is toxic for us, but the titmouse and the throstle like it very much. The fruit has one large seed embedded in the very sticky, glutinous fruit pulp. It sprouts only on branched, but not in water or soil. The sticky juice was used to make birdlime, an adhesive to trap small animals or birds.

Active substances

Flavonoids, caffeic acid, saponin, alcaloids, resin, choline, acetylcholine, lectin, polipeptide, viscotoxin and in the fruit polysacharides. The lectin and the viscotoxin in large dosis are toxic substances. Do not exceed recommended daily dosis!

Legend

The mistletoe is one of our first plant. The Celts respected it as a sacred plant, cut its branches with golden sickle so that the rust won’t hurt its miraculous effect. In order not to touch the ground, it was picked into a white canvas held by virgin girls. The rare mistletoe gathered from oak tree had a very high value among Celts, it was collected on the 5^thday of Celtic New Year, in January. It made Germanic warriors invulnerable; if hanged over the craddle it protected new-born babies from evil fairies who meant to exchange the child. Young girls hid mistletoe under their pillows on midsummer night in order to find out the identity of their future husbands. It was the symbol of eternity of the world and imortality of the soul. According to the anglo-saxon tradition people meeting under a mistletoe must kiss each other. This is a gesture of forgiveness and love, based on Scandinavian legends.

Wildcrafting

Leaves and twigs thinner than 5mm can be collected from November to February. Its active substances depend on the time of picking and on the guest tree. For instance the mistletoe picked from an apple tree or hawthorn is more effective antihypertensive and against uric acid. Wildcrafting mistletoe is a hard job. It need to be cut, then dried without berries. The woody parts dry slowly. In order to avoid mold, keep it in a dry and airy space.

Do not collect mistletoe from maple, linden, walnut, willow or poplar tree.

Curative effects

Mistletoe can be widely used, first of all as a remedy for congestion, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and heart arrythmia symptomes. Mistletoe improves the permeability of veins, that is why we use it against vertigo, tinnitus, varicose and to improve concentration skills. It also has a diuretic effect. It tempers any kind of bleeding from wounds, nose, uterus or lungs. It can be used for coughing, whoop, asthma or for any other cramp. Due to its tranquillizer effect it might prevent epileptic fits or headaches. Mistletoe strengthens the immunity system. It strengthens the musculature of the uterus and increases the chance of conception. In a small dosis mistletoe is recommended to diabetes, since it decreases the sugar level in blood.

Use:
Herb tea: do not prepare hot tea form mistletoe. Macerate 3 g of dried plant in 2,5 dl distilled or lime-free water for 12 hours. Steep it in the evening, strain in the morning and drink it cold or tepid before breakfast.

For hypertension or arteriosclerosis 1 cup daily on empty stomach is recommended. Those suffering in cardiovascular diseases should drink 1 cup before going to bed, 1-3 times a week. For unsteady blood pressure drink mistletoe tea 2-3 times a week on empty stomach. In order to strengthen you uterus, make a 4-week-cure and consume 3 times daily 1 spoon of mistletoe tincture. To prevent any diseases and to strengthen your immunity system, is enough to drink 2-3 cups monthly, which needs to be prepared and consumed in the way explained above. Mistletoe is a medicinal plant, but its use demands special attention.

Medicinal wine: 40 g fresh mistletoe macerated in 1 l sweet white wine for 10 days at room’s temperature. Drink one glass twice a day before meal. Make a 15-day-long cure twice a year.

External use: warm boultice made of mistletoe leaves and mashed berries is used for vasoconstriction, varicse vain or arthralgy.

Researches:
Already the famos Swiss doctor, Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) has used mistletoe for treating cancer. According to the newest German researches the mistletoe has citostatic (cell protecting) and immune system strengthening effects and prevents formation of metastasis.

THE BEAR’S GARLIC (Allium ursinum)

Natural Herbs 2016-04-03

Bear’s Garlic

Description

It belongs to the liliaceous (Liliaceae). The bear’s garlic (also called ramsons) (Allium ursinum) forms large colonies in woods and fringe of forests. It is a 30-40 cm high perennial plant with the scent and taste of garlic. It flowers in April-May. It has oval bulbs.

Active Substances

The plant contains organic sulfur compounds.

Wildcrafting

The young leaves and the bulbs of bear’s garlic are used in the medicine. Those are collected in spring. The bulbs can be stored like onions. The leaves can be bought also in herb shops. It can be picked before flowering. Since it is a protected plant, please pick only 2 leaves from one stool.

Curative power

It has appetizing effects and sustains the function of the digestive system. It is also known for its antihypertensive effect and reduces cholesterol. Thanks to its L-ascorbic acid contain improves the capability of resistance of our organism.

Use

The traditional medicine uses bear’s garlic –similarly to the cultivated one- to prevent respiratory diseases and to cure catarrh, as well as an intestinal antiseptic or digestive. In spring bear’s garlic can be used for salads. Frozen it loses its special taste.

Though it is not confirmed by human clinical tests, bear’s garlic has an influence on blood sugar level and insulin production. In case of a treatment with medicine containing bear’s garlic extracts it is recommended that diabetics regularly control their blood sugar level.

External use: based on traditional observation we can state that externally used bear’s garlic works against fungal infections. On sensitive skin use it carefully, it can cause inflammation in form of redness or pimple. In letter case do not use it any longer. Try it on a small surface to avoid any skin-irritation later.

Researches

According to scientific researches bear’s garlic has an antihypertension effect, it slows down the deposit of cholesterol in blood vessels, improves bloodstream in limbs. In laboratory conditions the garlic and bear’s garlic reduced the cholesterol level in blood through influencing cholesterol synthesis, depending on the doses, the applied quantity of thiosulfate, ajoen and ditiin. The extracts won through organic solvents significantly decreased the cholesterol synthesis (even with 40%). Regular consume of bear’s garlic is the natural therapy in order to decrease cholesterol level and prevent several cardiovascular diseases.

It also has a slight blood thinner effect. It is not recommended to consume bear’s garlic if treated with anticoagulant, because it increases the risk of bleeding. It is not recommended to consume bear’s garlic before surgeries, and its regular consume for people treated with demulcents or anticoagulants is possible only under medical inspection.

ST. JOHN’S WORT (Hypericum perforatum)

Natural Herbs 2016-02-11

Description

St. John’s wort belongs to the family of Guttiferae. It is a perennial plant that lives on bushy and grassy dry fields, at fringe of the forests. The perforated St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) native in Romania is well-known in traditional medicine. Due to its curative effects is also mentioned in several modern dispensatories. St. John’s wort is an herbaceous perennial plant with several stems which are erect, branched in the upper section, hard to pick. The sepals are pointed, with black glandular dots. It has oblong leaves with scattered translucent dots of glandular tissue. The dots are conspicuous when held up to the light. The flowers appear in broad cymes at the ends of the upper branches, between July and August.

Active substances

It contains ethereal oils (0.1%), flavonglicozide (hiperozide) and photosensitive red pigment (hypericin). These active substances can be found first of all in the flowers and in the leaves.

Wildcrafting

It is recommended to pick the upper part with flower of the St. John’s wort (20-30 cm of the stem) in sunny weather, and then dry it in the shaddow in an airy space.

Curative effects

In traditional medicine the St. John’s wort (in form of oil) is used for tempering rheumatic pain and medicates cutaneous deseases. It was also used for gout, suppuration and external bleeding.

Use

Herb tea: the tea is often used against depression, stress, sleep disturbance, but also for skin inflammations and hardly healing wounds. It has a beneficial effect on the human organism in case of gastric ulcer, kidney and gall problems, as well as in case of neural gastrointestinal disorders. It is also recommended for internal mouth injuries. It has a beneficial effect on organic problems caused by depression, such as headache, cardiac arrhythmia and gasp, depression caused by exhaustion in situation of hard diseases or after surgeries. Depression before periods or in menopause –appears as petulance, anxiety and sensation of fear- can also be treated with St. John’s wort. But it might have a negative effect on skin, if the hypericin becomes photodynamically activated. Use St. John’s wort carefully!

Medicinal wine: the alcoholic extract of St. John’s wort stimulates liver function.

Crush 30 g dried St. John’s wort flower and macerate it in white wine for 10 days. Use 2-3 spoons 3 times a day against asthma.

Extraction: water extraction of St. John’s wort is used in case of liver- and gall-diseases, as well as for gastric ulcer. Its tea protects the mucous membrane, has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and helps cell regeneration. Thanks to its spasmolytic and slightly keratoplastic effect the St. John’s wort’s oil extraction can be used as overlaying in case of gastric ulcer. Since St. John’s wort decreases appetite, it has a weight loss effect and is often used in weight preserving preparations.

External use: thanks to its keratoplastic, antiseptic and constringent effects it has been used for healing wounds in the last 2000 years. The oil extraction of St. John’s wort is used as unguent for hardly healing wounds, leg ulceration or burns. It is also used in cosmetic products. Since it contains hypericin and other antibiotic compounds it can prevent infection of wounds.

A St. John’s wort treatment has a positive influence on mood swings, depression and improves concentration skills.