Genus: Hypericum
Common name: St John’s Wort. Hypericum perforatum. Goatweed.
Family: Hypericaceae (formerly Guttiferae)
This perennial herbaceous plant produces a multitude of small cheery star shaped yellow flowers that bloom from multibranched stems that grow 1 – 3 feet high. When the flowers are crushed, a blood-red pigment is released. The flowers are typically in peak bloom on June 24, the Catholic feast day celebrating the birthday of St John the Baptist. Wort indicates its use as a healing plant. The herb has long been used for the treatment of deep wounds, nerve pain, skin ailments including burns, and as a natural treatment for depression. This herb has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, St John’s Wort is considered a poisonous weed in many areas, because its ingestion by grazing animals can cause photosensitization, changes in the central nervous system, spontaneous abortion, and death.
As a homeopathic remedy, Hypericum has an affinity to the spinal nerves, especially the coccyx. It is useful for injuries to nerve rich areas like the fingers, toes, teeth, and the tailbone. This remedy is indicated for penetrating puncture wounds, including injections, dental procedures, and surgical cuts, especially when there is excessive pain that may be shooting, burning, or tingling. Accompanying emotional symptoms include feelings of restlessness, melancholy and sadness, and a resistance to further painful medical treatment.
Keynotes:
- Injuries to the nerves, spine, or coccyx
- Excessive pain and tenderness of wounds
- Shooting, burning, tingling pains
- Shock from injury, nervous depression after shock
- Head injury, fractured skull, whiplash
- Toothaches, dental procedures, facial neuralgia
- Puncture wounds from splinters, injections, epidurals
- Gunshot and stab wounds, cuts from glass
- Wounds, lacerations, surgical cuts
- After effects of childbirth – forceps delivery, episiotomy, Cesarean section
- Animal or insect bites or stings, cat scratches
- Crushed fingertips
- Low back pain, pinched nerves, spinal concussion
- Asthma after injury of spine
- Tetanus
- Shingles
- Worse pressure, worse cold and damp, worse weather changes, worse motion
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.