St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the St John's wort family (Hypericaceae). The herb has several other names such as Common St. John's Wort, Hypericum or Tutsan. Reddish fluid flows through this medicinal herb, giving the impression that blood is flowing in it.
Hypericum comes from the Greek word "Hyperikon", which is divided into "Hyper" ("end") and "Eikon" ("image or appearance"). This is indicative of the belief that this herb is so potent against evil spirits that even a sip of it will make it go away. It is said that no evil can exist in the presence of such a sun herb.
It has been known to mankind since ancient times as a miraculous herb that naturally gives light, vitality and energy to the human body and has an intense effect on body and mind. Legend has it that in the first century early Christians named the herb St. John's wort because it reached full bloom around June 24th, the day of the birth of John the Baptist.
In popular belief, St. John's wort is a symbol of the sun and the summer solstice and cleanses the body.
St. John's wort is particularly known to be one of the strongest natural antidepressants - and has been used successfully to treat depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, neurasthenia, restless sleep, nervous stomach pain, and mental exhaustion. The chemical compound hyperforin found in St. John's wort can also be useful in treating alcoholism.
St. John's wort is known as the herb used to cure 99 diseases. In naturopathy, St. John's wort is used to heal wounds and burns more quickly, to improve heart function and relieve menstrual cramps, as well as to treat skin diseases and infections in the oral cavity.
Recent studies suggest the effectiveness of this potent herb in treating diseases related to inflammatory processes, bacterial and viral diseases. Furthermore, the effect as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent was found.
