Active components:

• Acids: ascorbic, palmitic and estearic. ( plant)
• Essential oils: Cineol, cariophyllene, pinene,
• Minerals: cadmium, lead (leaves)
• Hypericin (plant)
• Hiperforin (plant)
• Quercetin ( plant )
• Rutin (plant)
• Limonene (planta)
• Flavonoids (flower)
• Tannins ( specially the flower)
  
  

Properties:

a) medicinals:

Internal use :

Antidepressant: It is the medicinal property which has lately been more widely discussed. Hyperecin gives this plant antidepressive properties in cases of light depression. This component acts inside the body in the same way as synthesis drugs do, but without their counteractive inconviniencies. However some studies seem to point to hyperforin as the main substance responsible for reducing depression. No benefits have been reported in cases of hard acute depression ( 10 drops of tincture three times a day)

Nerve tonic: A prolong usage - about 4 or 6 months - constitutes a good tonic for the nervous system. Differently to other sedatives, it has no side effects since no accumulation of toxins in the blood or liver has been detected. ( A tea spoonful of smashed flowers 2 times every day)

Digestive: A good remedy when stomach acidity appears, specially in the treatment of gastric ulcer, diarrhoea and vomiting. It has bed proved the influence of hypericin as an inhibitor of acidity ( MAO) ( Infusion of a tea spoonful of flower summits in a cup of water two times a day)

Enuresis: The previous treatment may be equally considered to alliaviete child incontinence.

Analgesic: Very useful to treat body aches, mainly those produced by rheumatic deseases, gout, arthritis, sciatica, lumbago... etc. ( Infusion of a tea spoonful of flower summits in a cup of water two times a day)

External use :

Wounds and skin: Being very rich in tannins, it has been considered one of the best weapons to heal wounds, burns or whatever sores in the skin. Known as the Middle ages antibiotic, it was specially prized to cure the battle wounds. During the XVI century it was called " Herb of the wounds" and later " Battle herb" since soldiers use it when they were injured, applying the fresh juice on the affected zone. .( Frictions of oil resulting from macerating 100 gr. of fresh leaves in a litre of olive oil during 6 weeks )

Anticancernogenic: Antibiotic properties of hypericin seem to be proved in late investigations conferring this component a possitive value in aids treatment . It has also been used to detect cancerous cells and prevent their expansion.

Varicose veins and hemorrohoids: It may be considered a good ally to fight againts periferial circulatory disorders, responsable of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Tannnins are fundamental in this sense. ( Baths with the decoction of flower tops)

Toxicity:

Internal use of this plant must be avoided if another medicines must be taken, since it may easily interact with barbiturics, antidepresant, narcotics, acidity inhibitors...etc In any case, medical consultation is necessary before undertaking other medication.

Warning: Hypericin may produce photosensibility effects, when exposing to sunlight, consequently not only little skin injures may appear after treatment, but deep ulceration as well. It is adviced not to expose to sun for long or avoid going to mountains when having a treatment of this plant.

By no means this preparations must be taken during pregnancy.

Cultivation