 FACTS
If you rub the petals of this flower between your fingers, red resin Will ooze out, leaving & stain on your hand. Perhaps that is why, according to a legend dating back to the Middle Ages, this plant sprang from John the Baptist's blood when he was beheaded. Through the years, this herb has been used as a mild tranquillizer and as a treatment for depression and insomnia. In fact, recent studies show that it is quite effective for anxiety and emotional problems; unlike many other psychotropic drugs, the patients did not report any side effects. St. John's Wort is also a muscle relaxer that has been used to treat menstrual cramps. It is a good expectorant as well.
In Europe, it is also a popular remedy for gastro-intestinal disorders such as gastric ulcers. Externally, it is an antiseptic and a painkiller for burns and irritations Ointments are also used for rheumatism and sciatica or back pain. This herb has gotten a lot of attention recently after researchers at two of the world's leading medical institutions-.-New York University and the Weizman Institute of Science in Israel—found that two of its main constituents, hypercin and pseudohypcricin, were found to inhibit the growth of retro viruses in animals, including HIV, the AIDS virus. Although the results of these studies are promising a synthetic form of hypericin is just now being tested on HIV-infected patients. More studies are needed to determine if this herb can be useful against AIDS.
POSSIBLE BENEFITS
Good for anxiety.
Has a calming effect on the body.
Relieves uterine cramping,
Promotes healing of skin wounds,
Helps the body fight viral infection
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