Herbe sainte

Saint-John s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a perennial herb with round stems having two distinct lengthwise ridges (Kowalchik and Hylton 1987 Leyel 1994). It produces bright yellow flowers with five... 

Saint-John s-wort (Hypericum perforatum). Reprinted with permission from Sturdivant and Blakely. (1999). Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field, and Marketplace. Friday Flarbor, WA San Juan Naturals. Illustration by Peggy Sue McRae. 

Saint-John s-wort was used in ancient Greece and medieval Europe, where it was believed to ward off evil spirits. Its name derives from wort, the Old English word for herb, and the fact that it was harvested in Europe on the eve of St. John s day (June 24th) and burned to purify the air (Fleiligenstein and Guenther 1998). Traditional uses include treatment of depression, insomnia, enuresis, and anxiety. Modern use has focused on its antidepressant effects and possible antiviral effects for treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (FIIV) (Fleiligenstein et al. 1998) (table 7.3). There has been some interest in its antiglioma effects as well (Couldwell et al. 1993). 

S. divinorum may be prepared as an infusion from 20 (about 50 g) to 80 (about 200 g) or more pairs of fresh leaves to induce visions and may be taken by the curandero, the patient (or apprentice) or both, depending on the situation. Only fresh foliage will serve for divination. At this dosage level, the Salvia is used to foretell the future, find the causes and cures of illnesses and obtain answers to questions about friends, enemies and relatives. In shamanic training, the future healer takes la Maria to learn the ways of healing and the identification and use of medicinal plants (there is supposedly a tree in Heaven with all such herbs in it and one talks to God and the Saints about them under the influence of the hallucinogens). After preliminary sessions in the company of the master, who takes the infusion along with the... 

The Mazatec curanderos believe that the hallucinogenic trance induced by Salvia divinorum allows them to travel to heaven and learn from God or the Saints. For this purpose, the herb is used to train new curanderos. Because Salvia is considered a weaker hallucinogen than morning glory seeds or mushrooms, it is usually the first of these three hallucinogens to be employed in the training program. 

Saint-John s-wort is one example of a natural herbal remedy for depression that has recently gained in popularity and prevalence across the United States. In Europe, it is reportedly outselling the prescription medication Prozac. Saint-John s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a lush green herb with bright yellow flowers that has traditionally been used to heal wounds and as a tea to soothe nerves and relieve melancholy. The natural antidepressant effect that results enhances the neurochemical serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine with few side effects (Lemonick, 1997). 

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