*Remember to always consult a doctor if you plan to medicate with natural plants. Don't take any of this for granted, do your own research.
Wonder Plant #002 - St. Johnswort (hypericum perforatum)
Also called Amber, goat-weed, Johnswort, Klamath weed and Tipton weed is a perennial plant found in dry and gravelly soils. It is found in sunny places all around the world, including North America and the Pacific Coast. It has been used for it's medicinal properties for over 2000 years.
The plant is known to have been smoke in fires set on St. John's Eve (June 23rd) during medieval times. These fires were started on top of small hills and other elevated locations to purify the surroundings of evil spirits. It was believed that St. Johnswort, burned along other plants*, would bring protection to the people, their cattle and their crops. Small branches, once smoked properly, were hanged in houses to keep the evil away. Some people even wore it around their necks to be protected anywhere they would go.
*Other plants that were smoked: ivy, mugwort, milfoil, vervain, elder, figwort, fennel, melilot, camomille, plantain, hawthorn, lavender and male fern.
Flowering:
It flowers from June to September.
Medicinal Properties:
Antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant, nervine and vulnerary. St Johnswort is also used for it's calming effects in treatments for bedwetting, insomnia and other nervous conditions. Oils extracted from the plant can be taken for stomachaches, colics, intestinal problems and even pulmonary congestion. These oils can also be applied on burns and a few skins problems (be careful as it can also make the skin more sensible to light. Teas made from the leaves helps with symptoms of jaundice, anemias, headaches, catarrh and menstrual discomfort.
St. Johnswort is also commonly known as a natural antidepressant. The plant contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) such as hypericin, xanthones and flavonoids. It can also be used for treating symptoms of AIDS.
Preparation:
>Infusion: 1 tsp. of dried herbs infused in 1/2 cup of water for 5 minutes. Take once before breakfast and once more before bed.
>Oil Extract: 10 to 15 drops in water. To make this extract, place fresh flowers and leaves in a jar with olive oil. Leave the closed jar in a warm and sunny place for 6 to 8 weeks. Stir often, the oil should eventually turn red. You can siphon out water from the mix after you've strained it. Keep in a dark container. The oil is good for about 2 years.
Useful links:
Here's a page about St. Johnswort.
Here's another page about St Johnswort.
Sources:
- Lust, John. The Herb Book. 1974. Bantham Books. p.344.
- Prevention Magazin Health Books. The Complete Book of Natural & Medicinal Cures. 1994. Berkley Health Reference. p.366.
Edits:
- 23/6/17 - history of St. Johnsworth, links
- 24/6/17 - tags