Saint Johns Wort

Therapeutics

Analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, astringent, restorative for the nervous system, speed wound healing.

Plant Anatomy & Growth

Saint John’s wort is a flowering perennial that stays fairly small, up to 100 cm high. It has a smooth stem with pale, oblong leaves that stack up the stem. At the top of each stem, orange-yellow flowers bloom with long stamens clustered in the center.

Native to Europe but now all over. Saint John’s wort thrives in meadows and banks of waterways. It prefers sunny areas and chalky soils.

Harvest all parts of these plants although the aerial parts and the most commonly utilized including the leaves, flowers, and stems. Make sure to harvest in midsummer, once the flowers bloom to gain their medicinal benefits too.

Color

Green to light brown

Constituents

Hypericin, pseudohypericin, flavonoids, hyperforin (speeds wound healing), volatile oils

Uses

Use in an infusion, tincture, wash or topical.

Do not ingest if taking any medication as it can lessen the effect. May cause some sensitivity to light after ingestion.