St John's wort

St John's wort
A flowering plant, Hypericum perforatum, also known as Perforate St John's wort, that has long been believed to have medicinal qualities. There is, in fact, some evidence that St John's wort may possibly be useful in diminishing depression. K Linde and coworkers reviewed 23 published reported trials, including one of 1757 patients, indicating that extracts of St John's wort are more effective than placebo for the treatment of mild to moderately severe depression (British Medical Journal 313:253-8, 1996). Sun sensitivity, fatigue, stomach upset, and allergic reactions are among the side effects that have been reported in people taking St John's wort. The powers of this venerable herb were reputed to derive from John the Baptist; red spots on its leaves were said to appear on August 29, the anniversary of his death, representing the blood spilt when St John was beheaded. Others hold that the herb is named for the Knights of St John who used it to treat the wounded in the Crusades.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • John's-wort — n. See St. {John s wort}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • John's-wort — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • john's-wort — ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun (plural john s worts) Usage: usually capitalized J Etymology: after St. John, one of the twelve apostles of Christ; from its having been gathered on the eve of the Feast of St. John (June 24) : saint john s wort …   Useful english dictionary

  • St John's wort — Hypericum perforatum St John s wort Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked) …   Wikipedia

  • St John's wort — n. any yellow flowered plant of the genus Hypericum, esp. H. androsaemum. * * * noun any of numerous plants of the genus Hypericum having yellow flowers and transparently dotted leaves; traditionally gathered on St John s eve to ward off evil •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Saint-John's-wort — jänz .wərt, .wȯ(ə)rt n 1) any of a genus (Hypericum of the family Guttiferae, the Saint John s wort family) of herbs and shrubs with showy yellow flowers esp one (H. perforatum) of dry soil, roadsides, pastures, and ranges that contains a… …   Medical dictionary

  • Saint John's-wort — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Saint-John's-wort — [sānt jänz′wʉrt] n. 〚after Saint JOHN1 + WORT2: reason for name uncert.〛 any of a genus (Hypericum) of ornamental plants of the Saint John s wort family, with usually yellow flowers and numerous stamens adj …   Universalium

  • Saint-John's-wort — [sānt jänz′wʉrt] n. [after Saint JOHN1 + WORT2: reason for name uncert.] any of a genus (Hypericum) of ornamental plants of the Saint John s wort family, with usually yellow flowers and numerous stamens adj. designating a family (Guttiferae,… …   English World dictionary

  • saint-john's-wort — (|) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun Usage: usually capitalized S&J Etymology: after St. John the Baptist: from its being gathered on St. John s eve to be used to ward off evil spirits and as a medicinal herb : a plant of the genus Hypericum see hypericism,… …   Useful english dictionary

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