Botanical name: Hypericum perforatum Other names: johnswort, goat weed, klamath weed, tipton weed Family: Clusiaceae sy. Hypericaceae Part used: leaves Taste (rasa): bitter (tikta), astringent (kasaya) Energy (veerya): cooling (sheeta) Post digestive effect (vipak): pungent (katu) Dosha effect: decreases pita & kapha, increases vata Action (karma): antidepressant, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic, antispasmodic, expectorant, astringent. Dose: Infuse 1 teaspoon of herb per cup, taken three times a day. Safety: For people on medication, supervision by a doctor or natural health practitioner is necessary.

Ref: ‘Ayurvedic Medicine by Sebastian Pole; ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants’ by Vaidya V.M. Gogte; ‘Yogi of Herbs’ by V. Lad & D. Frawley; ‘Herbs Are Special’ by Isabel Shipard.