St John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
Botany: St John's wort is a member of the family Clusiaceae that grows 60-100cm tall. It is characterised by yellow flowers that turn red when rubbed between the fingers. It's leaves have tiny perforations. St John's wort has an aromatic scent and a bitter and astringent taste.
Habitat: St John's wort is a common weed in Australia and New Zealand. It it ofter found in tussock grasslands, wastelands and pastures. It is a declred noxious weed in many states.
Parts Used: The flowers can be used to infuse into a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil for topical medicinal purposes. The upper, non-woody shoots and flowers can be dried or used fresh to create tincture extracts.
Constituents: St John's wort contains essential oil, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. Hypericin, the dye that colours the petals red, is believed to be one of the comonents responsible for this herb's uplifting effect. Small amounts of procyanidines act on the circulation. Hyperforin, a bitter substance in the fresh leaves, has antibiotic properties.
Indications: St John's wort has proven particularly effective for minor depression. for example during menopause. However, it should be taken 2-3 weeks before its effects can be observed. It is the goal of the "Iceman" Wim Hof, and claims that the Wim Hof Breathing Method could eliminate depression world wide. Professional help should be sought for persistent depression.
St John's wort is beneficial for nervous restlessness, anxiety and sleep disorders. The oil of this herb is used for nervous stomach complaints, digestive disorders anf gastrointestinal catarrh. Applied externally, it has an anti-inflammatory effect on injuries, burns and muscle pain.
For depression, nervous restlessness, rheumatic pains
- Tea - Cover 1-2 teaspoons of finely chopped herb with 250ml of boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes and strain. Drink 1 cup of the tea 2-3 times daily.
- Tincture - St John's wort 1:2 60% Tincture cover 20 grams of St John's wort herb with 40 milliliters of 60% Alcohol. Leave standing for 10 days shaking daily, and filter. Take 5-10 drops 2-3 times daily.
- Infused oil - For nervous stomach complaints, take 1 teaspoon of infused oil 2-3 times daily. To treat inflammation, massage the oil into the effected area several times daily or apply a compress soaked with the oil. St John's wort infused oil is available from our website.
- Ready-to-use preparations - Drops, tablets and tinctures of various concentrations are available for internal and external use.
- Liquid extract - take 5-10 drops 3 times daily over several weeks if required.
