St. John’s Wort Herb
Oh the anticipation of waiting for that bright yellow flower to bloom; “Summer is Finally Here!” At least here in the Northeastern United States, St. John’s Wort or Hypericum perforatum, blooms right around Summer Solstice. St. John’s Wort is named after St. John the Baptist, whose feast day is June 24th.
Years ago, I was taught to pick St. John’s Wort and Yarrow on Summer Solstice morning for protection and to bring you sunshine in the winter. I hang them in my house and also keep them in my car for the year and replace them on the next Solstice.
Medicinal Uses of St. John’s Wort:
St. John’s Wort Herb is often used medicinally to help with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and nerve pain. It also makes an amazing skin salve and herbal oil because of its antibacterial and some say antiviral properties. It has been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years.
How is St. John’s Wort Normally Taken?
Saint John’s Wort is available in tinctures, capsules / pill form, teas, homeopathic remedies, oils, and salves. Most people tend to use the tincture form in the winter months to help with seasonal affective disorder and depression. Others will take it as a tea or in the pill form, as it can tend to be a little harsh on the stomach. Homeopathic Hypericum perforatum has been used for nerve pain, especially for post-surgical pain. St. John’s Wort Oil and St. John’s Wort Salve are used topically for cuts, scrapes, burns, and bug bites.
St. John’s Wort is widely used in Europe. In most countries is available over the counter. In Ireland, a prescription is required. In the US, the FDA has not approved the use of St. John’s Wort as a prescription drug or for over the counter use for depression. Although it is currently unregulated in the US, it is still widely used and available.
Using Caution with St. John’s Wort:
St. John’s Wort is known to interact with many medications, especially those taken for chemical imbalances (SSRI’s), depression, anxiety, anticonvulsants, and blood thinners. If you would like to try St. John’s Wort please consult your Physician or Naturopathic Doctor for dosages and to prevent any interactions.
St. John’s Wort can also cause sun sensitivity. You may get sunburned much faster than normal or even burn when you normally tan. This leads some to alternate and take Kava Kava in the summer time and St. John’s Wort in the winter. Regular use of Kava Kava can lead to liver toxicity, so please work with your doctor for the best solution.
Magical Uses of St. John’s Wort:
Some of the most common metaphysical uses for St. John’s Wort are to ward negativity, protection spells, exorcisms, blessings, and to bring the sun into one’s life in during the winter to help keep depression at bay. It is also used for invincibility, good health, willpower, and courage.
I hope that you have enjoyed this week’s Herbal Wednesday. As always, feel free to share this article and comment below.