St. Johnswort (Scientific Name: Hypericum Beanii)
St. Johns Wort
Description
Type~ Angiosperm.
Leaves~ The leaves are stalkless and narrow, averaging about 12mm. They are usually yellow-green in color, but can get bright green depending on sun conditions.
Bark~ The tree doesn't have bark, the main stem is very thin and rough.
Habitat~ The St. John's Wort is indigenous of Europe, and it favors meadows where it grows in bunches.
Co-exists~ The St. John's Wort is found mostly with other trees of it's kind, but favors most areas with small brush and weeds to help transfer water underground to it's small and relatively shallow root system.
Reproduction~ The St. John's Wort reproduces both sexually and vegetatively.
Enthnobotany
The St. John’s Wort tree has been used as an antidepressant by the Chinese for 4,000 years and by Europeans for 2,000 years. It was used in Russia for it’s antibiotic and antiviral uses as well as helping alcoholism. It is widely used nowadays in teas as a natural antidepressant.
It is also useful curing burns, rashes, and several other skin problems. It can be eaten to provide relief from headaches, stomach conditions such as ulcers, and nerve problems like depression and neuralgia. (Davies, 1999)
Current Research
Current research is being done on the St. Johns Wort in the aiding of depression. Some studies support it while some do not. Studies done by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggested the tree was not effective at curing depression, as it yielded similar results to the placebo. (Parkhomenko & Kashin, 2011)
However, their have been problems with the research. Other research done privately suggests it has used only severely depressed subjects when testing against a placebo. The National Institute of Mental Health states that it can be effective in curing minor depression. (Iwasaki & Kitamoto, 2011)
The effects of prescription medication can be hindered by combining use with the St. John’s Wort flower, and are not recommended to be used together. (Jonathan Davidson, M.D., 2012)
Creative Writing
Imagine living 3,000 years ago in the middle of China. You're feeling pretty down, and you haven't been yourself lately. You seek help from the local elders, and they tell you to go into the forest and look for "the tree that looks like Earth's tail." Eat the flower, and you'll feel better.
Feeling hopeful, you head into the woods in search of this magic plant. You stumble through a forest full of bright green shrubs and lengthy trees, and finally stumble upon a meadow of yellow blooming flowers on long stalks. You eat the flowers and soon after you feel much better. All thanks to the St. John's Wort!
Description
Type~ Angiosperm.
Leaves~ The leaves are stalkless and narrow, averaging about 12mm. They are usually yellow-green in color, but can get bright green depending on sun conditions.
Bark~ The tree doesn't have bark, the main stem is very thin and rough.
Habitat~ The St. John's Wort is indigenous of Europe, and it favors meadows where it grows in bunches.
Co-exists~ The St. John's Wort is found mostly with other trees of it's kind, but favors most areas with small brush and weeds to help transfer water underground to it's small and relatively shallow root system.
Reproduction~ The St. John's Wort reproduces both sexually and vegetatively.
Enthnobotany
The St. John’s Wort tree has been used as an antidepressant by the Chinese for 4,000 years and by Europeans for 2,000 years. It was used in Russia for it’s antibiotic and antiviral uses as well as helping alcoholism. It is widely used nowadays in teas as a natural antidepressant.
It is also useful curing burns, rashes, and several other skin problems. It can be eaten to provide relief from headaches, stomach conditions such as ulcers, and nerve problems like depression and neuralgia. (Davies, 1999)
Current Research
Current research is being done on the St. Johns Wort in the aiding of depression. Some studies support it while some do not. Studies done by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggested the tree was not effective at curing depression, as it yielded similar results to the placebo. (Parkhomenko & Kashin, 2011)
However, their have been problems with the research. Other research done privately suggests it has used only severely depressed subjects when testing against a placebo. The National Institute of Mental Health states that it can be effective in curing minor depression. (Iwasaki & Kitamoto, 2011)
The effects of prescription medication can be hindered by combining use with the St. John’s Wort flower, and are not recommended to be used together. (Jonathan Davidson, M.D., 2012)
Creative Writing
Imagine living 3,000 years ago in the middle of China. You're feeling pretty down, and you haven't been yourself lately. You seek help from the local elders, and they tell you to go into the forest and look for "the tree that looks like Earth's tail." Eat the flower, and you'll feel better.
Feeling hopeful, you head into the woods in search of this magic plant. You stumble through a forest full of bright green shrubs and lengthy trees, and finally stumble upon a meadow of yellow blooming flowers on long stalks. You eat the flowers and soon after you feel much better. All thanks to the St. John's Wort!
Works Cited
Davies, J. (1999). St. john's wort: Hypericum perforatum in a nutshell. Element. Retrieved from http://www.herbs-hands-healing.co.uk/books/online-books/in-a-nutshell-st-john-s-wort-hypericum-perforatum
Gilani, N. (2009). Uses for a sweet gum tree. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/uses-sweet-gum-tree-44350.html
L. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cycas circinalis
American Chemical Society (2006, April 5). Sweetgum Tree Could Help Lessen Shortage Of Bird Flu Drug. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060405234139.htm
Brasher, K. (2009, April). Research finds promising use for sweetgum lumber. Retrieved from http://msucares.com/news/print/fwnews/fw06/061012.html
Davies, J. (1999). St. john's wort: Hypericum perforatum in a nutshell. Element. Retrieved from http://www.herbs-hands-healing.co.uk/books/online-books/in-a-nutshell-st-john-s-wort-hypericum-perforatum
Gilani, N. (2009). Uses for a sweet gum tree. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/uses-sweet-gum-tree-44350.html
L. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cycas circinalis
American Chemical Society (2006, April 5). Sweetgum Tree Could Help Lessen Shortage Of Bird Flu Drug. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060405234139.htm
Brasher, K. (2009, April). Research finds promising use for sweetgum lumber. Retrieved from http://msucares.com/news/print/fwnews/fw06/061012.html