St John's Wort
Latin name:
Hypericum perforatum L.
Common names:
St. John's wort, St. John's wort,
St. John's wort,
Devil's food,
Fairy grass,
Burns grass,
Carpenter's grass,
Trascalan, Trucheron
Family:
Clusiaceae
Origin:
Europe, Asia
Part of the plant used:
Flowering tops
Description
This plant is native to Europe and Western Asia. Hippocrates spoke of the benefits of St. John's Wort as far back as 2500 years ago. The plant, whose flowers were used to prepare ointments, was used for its antiseptic and healing properties. Over the years, modern pharmacopoeia has rediscovered the beneficial effects of St. John's wort consumption in the treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety and nervousness. In this context, two active molecules are of particular interest: hypericin and hyperforin. These two pigments, which give their dark red color to the dots visible on the flowers and buds of the plant, are thought to be involved in the antidepressant action of St John's wort.
The benefits
Relief of transient manifestations of depressive mood:
- Anxiety ;
- Sleep disorders;
- Nervous fatigue.
