St John’s Wort is well known for its properties to treat mental health, depression, mood swings, mild anxiety and sleep problems. It is also known by its Latinate scientific name, hypericum perforatum. It also has a few nicknames including goatweed, amber, Klamath weed, and tipton weed. A perennial plant, it is recognised as a shrub with little yellow flowers.
Many people will use St. John’s wort as an herbal remedy for alleviating the occasional blues. St. John’s wort may also help with premenstrual syndrome, symptoms of menopause, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobias.
However, it has huge value for the skin as well as the mind and spirit. The plant is packed with powerful flavonoids, it helps protect and soothe. No matter what type of skin you have, oily, dry or combination, this herb helps your skin look smoother and healthier. On top of this, it helps plump your look and hydrate skin while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. St. John’s wort is good for oily and sensitive skin and can help reduce the look of fine lines.
According to the blogger, AnnMarieGianni, St. John’s wort is typical of a number of plants that have been used for centuries – it has a number of benefits when applied topically to the skin and these include:
Support a firm look: St. John’s wort reduces the appearance of fine lines.
Hydrating: It has natural essential oils in it that hydrate and plump up the look of your skin, making it appear more fresh and dewy.
Soothing: It’s great for sensitive skin. It also contains tannins—similar compounds to those found in tea.
Note: When taken internally, St. John’s wort can increase photosensitivity in the skin, making it more vulnerable to potential UV damage.
It is also very good for healing skin, particularly in skin injuries, cuts, burns and irritations. Creams containing St Johns Wort are widely used to treat skin complaints, however St John’s Wort oil has been proven to be more beneficial – giving relief and reducing the chance of scarring. St John’s Wort oil is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory – and a wonderful natural relief for skin in need of special and sensitive skin.