HCS episode 2:
Inner Sun!
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)Tincture and Macerate
1. Tincture
Now winter - for some of us Steemians - is really starting to drag on, we may be starting to feel a little inert or even blue. Then it is time to consider St.John's Wort, the activator of the inner sun under the herbal remedies.
Come winter or summer, there are many applications for this beautiful solar wonder plant, especially for the oil, which I shall present in section 2 below. It really is a god-send when it comes to relieving suffering, and deserves such a holy name. It soothes pain and relaxes spasms. The solar force that is the signature of this plant sweeps the dust off our bones and reassembles the particles into a radiant body of light. It makes a tonic for the soul, but it works powerfully through the body.
Depression, restlessness and insomnia have their root-cause in a deeper shattering of the nerves. Perpetual or recurring stress to the system or a sudden shock has a splintering effect on the nerve-sensory system: the direct effects will be a depletion of mental and physical energy. You will feel run down. In the longer run, you may become chronically depressed or develop other knock-on disorders. Prolongued somber or stressed moods are even said to contribute to serious physical illnesses. They most certainly hinder speedy recoveries where possible.
The bright, yellow, sunny flowers of the Hypericum or St. John’s Wort flower are rich in silica and phosphorus, strenghtening the neural network and therby promoting circulation throughout the whole person.
Take with moderate caution
Bearing in mind that the tincture contains hypericin (amongst all its other chemical components) there is a risk of influence on other prescribed pharmaceuticals containing similar substances. Be advised of this if you are on anti-depressants or neuropathical medications, since this could be dangerous.
It is generally advised not to exceed the use of tincture drops for more than 12 weeks. If all weatherfronts cooperate you should be out of winter by then, anyway! If any swelling, skin rashes, or changes to the mucous membranes take place then cease using this herb internally (plenty left to enjoy in external applications which may give no complaints). Sometimes such complaints will suddenly occur, informing you that you have used the herb sufficiently. But don't wait for this, and take a cure for about 4-6 weeks, which should be sufficient to set you back up in a sunny disposition. In general no serious adverse effects in healthy adults can be considered common by any means. Try a low dosage first and build up to your "lucky number" somewhere between 10-20 drops depending on your brand (follow recommended dosage where given).
2. Oil (maceration)
St. John’s wort oil is actually a maceration (steeping of flowers in a base oil) either in olive oil or sesame oil. The former is a cooling oil, the latter a warming one: they are used for different complaints. Since there is no hypericin in the macerate, a topical massage with this oil should not interfere with your other prescriptions - needless to say, I hope: double check with your health care provider.
A good quality St.John's macerate is bright red. Quite freaky! but that's the hyperforin (not to be confused with the hypericin). The sesame variant is lighter in colour.
Benefits
Aside having antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, its warming properties are epecially applied to muscular cramps, stiff tendons, and deep nerve pain; improving the micro circulation it is helpful in skin restoration (burns, ulcers, wounds).
Base oils to use in combination with St. John's Wort are usually olive and sesame oil. Almond oil is another neutral option. A small amount (1%) of very effective tamanu or rosehip may be added but you need to check out (or in with me, not that I am certified, yet, mind!) for more details on the different effects of these "cocktails". You may rest assured they are effective, and not seldom recommended by nurses or certified aroma-therapists who collaborate with national and insurance approved health institutions - if you are lucky....
Regarding the two different macerates:
- Use the olive oil macerate when you need to cool somewhat (for itching! psoriasis).
- Use the sesame oil macerate where there are bloodflow disturbances and generally for older people and children.
Caution
This oil comes with the caution that it make your skin photosensitive - or better said: hypersensitive to the sun. It is what makes the plant's petals so radiant, but it would give you irritations (burns and rashes) if you exposedrecently oiled skin directly and for an extensive period to the sun.
Adding other essential oils
We won't be using St. John's Wort oil for its pleasant fragrance: for it has a rather pungeant, medicinal aroma, which is only somewhat milder in the sesame oil version. The oil is mainly used rather topically, although for constitutional nervous debilitations (MS, Parkinsons and ALS) or for fibromyalgia and RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome) it is used in body massages. Adding essential oils which make the oil more fragrant enhances the experience of a relieving massage through olefaction but also adds further healing properties to the blend.
Mix all oils as freshly as possible. They have expiration dates! (Especially essential oils won't be effective afterwards, or may even have become toxic). For a 30ml bottle : use 10% (1ml) St. John's macerate in about 29ml of base oil, adding a max. of 10 drops of essential oil.
- Great oils to add would be calming lavender, cheerful and mild mandarin, and/or sweet marjoram (not to be confused with the unadvisable oregano; caution advised with marjoram in pregnancy).
- The linalool in lavender reduces anxiety significantly, and clary sage is another highly effective anti-depressant. Often a disorder which cramps muscles (and limits mobility) goes together with a form of depression.
- Ginger is an especially strong stimulant of heat (notably in a CO2 extract).
- Peppermint is cooling in contusions,sprains, bruises, for which St. John's Wort is a first-aid remedy second to none (if maybe arnica).
- A couple of drops of helichrysum (=everlasting) is miraculously soothing and fragrant besides.
- Pine would help relieve lactic acid from muscles.
- Olibanum with lavender is safe on the mucous membranes and can be used for perineal massage (before or after childbirth, but also to help relieve menstrual cramps).
Do not massage in phases of acute inflammation for rheumatoid arthritis or spondylitis (fusing together of spinal vertebrae). Apply lightlly in a cooling gel (aloe vera).
Enjoy the goodness of nature and may we all be thankful for this yellow healer!
Join me again, next Sunday, for more HCS tips.
This photo is from "Heilpflanzen" by Markus Sommer, also used in the work at the top, made by 
Previous episodes
Dry Brushing and foot baths