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St. John's Wort

Family:
Guttiferae
Latin Name:
Hypericum perforatum



Description

Erect, round stems with two raised, longitudinal ridges on each. Bright yellow flowers in terminal, flat, leafy panicles on branches, they are marked by black dots and lines. Produces many small black seeds in three-celled capsules. Height: up to 2 feet. Blooms: July and August.




Common Uses

St. John's wort may help with SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and has shown to be effective over and over in studies to treat depression with few side effects. In the lab, it has also proven effective against a variety of viruses and helps combat fatigue.




History

Pinching the plant's yellow flowers causes them to turn red. It has the curious property of appearing to bleed when crushed, which gave rise to many popular uses related to blood and skin disorders.




Products Containing this Ingredient

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