St John's Wort Herb by Tea

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

St John's Wort Herb

Also known as

Hypericum perforatum, Perforated bush, Hypericum, and Klamath weed.

Introduction

Originally native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, St. John's wort is a perennial plant with bright yellow star-shaped flowers are now readily found throughout North America, growing wild in neglected fields and along roadsides. St. John's wort rose from virtual obscurity in the U.S. to become the fifth best selling dietary supplement in mainstream retail stores. Its rise to fame came after the national media reported clinical research showing that it was safe and effective for treating mild to moderate depression, and the Greek physician Hippocrates (ca. 460-377 B.C.E.) was one of the first to speak of the health benefits of St. Johns Wort, and it as been used to treat anxiety, neurosis, and depression since the time of Paracelsus (ca. 1493-1541 C.E.), when it was declared to be "arnica for the nerves." In addition to its value as a psychiatric treatment, Some of the original folklore uses of this versatile plant were in treating bedwetting, rheumatism, and gout. A St. John's wort oil made with the blossoms and olive, sunflower, or, preferably, wheat germ oil has been used for centuries for treating wounds and burns.

Constituents
Hypericin and related compounds, rutin, bitters, and tannins.

Parts Used
The dried flowering tops and leaf.

Typical Preparations

Traditionally used as a tea, sometimes available in tea bags; also used to make a red St. John's oil for use in liniments and lotions, but only from fresh material. May also be administered as a capsule or extract for convenience.

Summary

A cool, bitter herb, St. John's wort is sedative, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and most famously as an anti-depressant. A large volume of scientific research suggests that only a standardized extract delivering a rather high dose of hypericin, one of the active constituents found in St. John's wort can effectively fight depression, so how can the successful use of the much milder traditional teas be explained? St. John's wort as a whole herb (which includes phytochemicals such as hyperforin that have yet to be extensively researched) gives the body "just enough medicine" to overcome the physical aches and pains and mild viral infections that keep the brain from recovering from depression. Current research is also looking into St. John's wort as a treatment for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Precautions

St. John's wort extracts may increase sensitivity to sunlight and risk of sunburn, but this is extremely rare when the whole herb is used. Not to be used with a MAO or Protease inhibitor.

From my St. John's Wort I make a Oil from it, by putting the Flowers, Bud's and Leaves into a Mason Jar. I put as much in the Jar as I can and then pure either Olive Oil or Wheat Germ Oil over it and set it out in the Hot sun after capping the jar. I keep it there until the oil turns a oranges Red Color.

I then use my pipettes or Sterile Eye Droppers and take the oil out and place it into a Sterile Corked Vile and let it age for about 6 weeks. When it is needed, I pull out 1 vile of the oil and use a eye dropper or a Q-tip to place the oil on any wound that the the family may get.

   

My youngest Granddaughter will find a Fire Ant Hill anywhere and end up in it. Out comes Grammy's magic oil and the Next day all of the Blisters are gone and she is fine. The same with my 9 Year old Granddaughter who can find a Beehive just by walking out the door. She will get swarmed and stung, out comes the Oil and all is ok the Next day.

 

This stuff works great on Boo boo's, lmao. By son, a grown man got a bad slash on his leg while at work and it was swollen bad by time he got home. I pulled out the St John's wort Oil and Mixed it with a little Osha Root Powder and the 2 days later you wouldn't have ever known he had gotten hurt.

I will say one thing thoug, it doesn't take much at all to use and it is a great healing oil, but the long it sits, the thinker it gets, which is good.

Blessings,

~Tea~