Common St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is one of the biggest selling herbal remedies in the world. Used internally for depression, insomnia, cramps, irritability and externally for pain, burns, and wounds it has powerful restorative action. St. John’s Wort grows in Europe and became naturalized in North America ranging from Eastern Canada, B.C. and across the U.S.A. There are many species of Hypericum.
St. John’s Wort in B.C.
This cheery yellow perennial wildflower blooms from June to September and has tough branched stems with paired leaves. The dark dots on the leaves and flowers contain hypericin, a deep red pigment used to treat depression, irritability, insomnia, and cramps. The infused oil treats burns, bruises, wounds, arthritic rheumatic joints, and neuralgia. Put dried St. John’s wort in carrier oil of your choice to make a healing infused oil for your face and body to treat pain, sprains, wounds, burns, and any irritated areas. See my blog DIY face oils http://earthelixir.ca/2012/11/27/diy-face-oils/ and Calendula oil http://earthelixir.ca/2012/11/25/diy-calendula-infused-oil/ to make an infused herbal oil.
Bibliography:
The Energetics of Western Herbs Vol. 1&2 Peter Holmes, Snow Lotus Press 1989
The Herb Book, John Lust, Bantam books 1974
The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine & Out of Earth, Simon Y. Mills, Arkana penguin Books 1991
The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman, Element books 1996
The Green Pharmacy, James A. Duke, Rodale 1997
The Merck Manual of Medical Information
Peterson Field Guides, Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Steven foster and James A. Duke, Houghton Mifflin Company 2000
Ontario Wildflowers, 101 Wayside Flowers, Lone Pine Publishing 2002
| Common Name | St. John’s Wort herb | |
| Latin Name | Hypericum perforatum | |
| Family | Clusiaceae | |
| Parts Used | Perennial- top flowers picked during blooming in summer July-September | |
| Target Organs | kidney/bladder, digestion, lungs, nerves, blood, cardiovascular, heart | |
| Common Uses | Nervous system: tonic, relaxant restorative, anxiety, depression, neuromuscular relaxant
Urinary system: UTI, dissolve stones, incontinence, Pain: stress, headache, migraine, spine pain, neuralgia, sciatica, Digestion: IBS, colitis, ulcers-mouth gastro/duodenal Cardiovascular: tonic, heart tonic External: burn, bruises, injury, pain, tumour, wounds, sprains, strains, astringent hemostatic Antiviral infections and conditions
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| Properties | Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, antidiahrreal, antineurotoxic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiulcerogenic, antiviral, anxiolytic, astringent, cardiac, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, nervine, relaxant, sedative, tranquilizer, vascular tonic, vasodilator, vulnerary, clears damp cold, | |
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| Cautions | Medium strength: Avoid sun exposure causes photosensitivity. Do not use in conjunction with other medications antidepressants, MAOI’s, HIV drugs, blood thinners, digitoxin heart medication, iron supplements, and oral contraceptives. Do not use during pregnancy causes increased muscle tone in uterus. | |
| Dosage | Tincture: 2-4ml 3 week on 1 week off cycles. Best used in a formulation.
Tea: 1-2 tsp ( 8-14g) infuse 5-15 minutes |
