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This medicinal herb grows easily in the wild. It produces beautiful yellow flowers from June until August that are pretty and uplifting to look at. I have this very decorative plant growing in my herb garden along with other medicinal plants. The right time to pick some St.John’s-Wort is preferably on the Summer Solstice, which corresponds with its flowering period. Given the name ‘St.John’s-Wort’ in the Middle Ages by Christians, this was a reference to John the Baptist, whose saint day was celebrated by the faithful a few days later on the 24th June, in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s calendar. The yellow buds exude a burgundy coloured oil when they are soaked in alcohol, and this gave rise to the legend that the plant first emerged from the life blood of St.John who was beheaded at the request of the evil Salome.
From earliest times Hyptericum perforatum, its botanical name, has had the reputation of chasing away evil and demons. This name was derived from the Greek meaning ‘over an apparition’. It was believed that it gave off an offensive odour that would scare them away!
Astrologically, this fascinating herb comes under the auspices of the air signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius although Culpeper believed it to be under the rulership of the Sun. He is quoted as saying ‘if you meet a Papist, he will tell you especially if he be a lawyer, that St.John made it over to him by letter of attorney!’ No doubt there were greedy lawyers around in Culpeper’s time just as there are now! He believed it to be helpful in treating the falling sickness, identified today as epilepsy and for the palsy, a nerve-related disorder.
Because of its sedative properties, I feel it benefits the air signs who are known to be highly strung and full of nervous energy. When the emotions are calm then the thoughts can be given free expression, the mind can relax and we can then clarify our ideas, freeing our creative energies. All of the Sun Signs can benefit from the therapeutic properties of St.John’s Wort. It strengthens the nerves, lifts depression and renews the spirit. It also supports the lungs helping to expel mucus and this, of course, makes it a particularly useful herb for Geminis, who tend to suffer from respiratory ailments. Externally, the oil made from this plant can be used to promote the healing of bruises, sprains, ulcers and stings. A healing balm can be made from flowers and fresh leaves left to macerate for about five days in a mixture of olive oil and white wine. But these are not the only qualities of St.John’s-Wort: it also acts as an immune stimulant, helping to fight viral and bacterial infections. Its curative properties are also useful in cases of earache, bronchitis and helpful in combating fever. St.John’s balm, or red oil, features frequently in old herbals with instructions for dressing wounds.
Known as a ‘nervine’ and ‘anti depressant’ herb, it is used by sufferers of depression to good effect. It is also used to treat seasonal affective disorder [SAD] and sleep problems. The active constituents of this herb have been scientifically analysed, and clinical trials have proved its therapeutic properties in treating anxiety and mild to moderate depression. An added benefit is that it is free from harmful side effects.
The healing properties of herbs are being re-discovered as people become aware that orthodox medicine’s wonder drugs are not the panaceas that they were once thought to be. Their side effects are sometimes worse than the disease and people are looking for gentler forms of healing methods that stimulate the body’s life force rather than suppress symptoms.
St.John’s wort, is just one of the miraculous plants found in Mother Nature’s pharmacy. Used for a number of conditions, its primary use is as a mood enhancer. So, if you feel a little down during the dark days of Winter, you don’t have to be SAD, try using this highly beneficial herb. It will help to restore your energies, improve your mood and also help to stimulate the body’s mysterious ability to heal itself.
Summer 2004