Healing Gardens

St. John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

St. John's wort is a restorative tonic that nourishes the whole nervous system.

Family: Hypericaceae

Habitat: St. John's wort is a self seeding perennial as well as biennial that likes dry, sunny, and open places such as roadsides and meadows.

It is a very hardy and drout tolerant, and can do well in poor soil.

Actions: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antidepressant, antispasmodic, nervine tonic, and pain relieving sedative

Indications: use for depression, regenerate and repair of nerve damage, anxiety, neuralgias, restlessness, and tension.

Energetics: a bit bitter, sweet, cool, and dry. relaxing, restoring,circulates qi of kidney. It helps to regulate the adrenals and nervous system as a whole.

Parts used: flowering tops

Combinations: I find it combines wonderfully with kava kava for depression that has high anxiety features. In oil form it's excellent for muscle aches and swollen joints. Combines well with mullein flower oil and garlic for ears problems. Combines well with horsetail for urinary problems.

Preparation: topically as an oil, tinctures can be taken three times a day but if you are treating depression, the tincture takes several weeks to begin working.

Contraindications: This herb may cause photosensitivity; very fair skinned or light sensitive people should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight when taking this herb. Yet, in fact, external application of St. Jon's wort oil prevents sunburn, and contains more sun protective properties than PABA.