St. John's Wort

St. John's wort (hypericum perforatum) is a perennial, flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and on many Greek islands, where in ancient times it was called the "herb of sunshine" because it had a healing effect on melancholic people. Its English name, St John's wort, comes from its traditional flowering and harvest, which occurs on June 24, during the feast of St. John.
The active therapeutic substances are found in the whole plant, leaves, shoots and flowers collected during the flowering season, in summer. It contains, among others, hypericin and pseudo-hypericin, flavonoids mainly in the leaves, xanthones, phenolic acids and essential oils.
It is used to treat mild to moderate depression, neuralgia, nervous weakness and general symptoms that start from nerve injuries. It is also used as an antispasmodic and sleep quality improver in insomniacs. With the terrestrial parts of the plant we can make a decoction without boiling it, leaving the herb in boiling water for 5 minutes.
Be careful, the herb can cause dermatitis if taken internally and then exposed to the sun for a while.

Herbs are and should be treated as medicines. We recommend that you always consult your doctor before using them.