It’s no wonder that summer is the happiest season, as our most beloved sun remedies are in bloom, such as Hypericum perforatum, better known as St. John’s wort. The bright yellow flowers represent an extension of sunlight and have many medicinal uses, both internally and externally.
It is imperative to seek professional guidance before using herbal extractions, so consult your doctor first.
Now let’s explore this sunny botanical!
Botanical background
St. John’s wort grows in North America and belongs to the plant family Hypericaceae. This plant is easy to grow and does not require much water, allowing it to thrive in the southwestern United States. The yellow flowers are regular and bisexual, with four to five sepals and petals. If you see the flowers turn into green oval balls again, that is the ovary growing into seed. Sometimes the petals have orange or red dots.
Look for bumblebees hovering over the magical yellow flowers of this herb in mid-summer, as it usually blooms in mid-June. And don’t forget the green leaves: they go perfectly with strawberries for a summer salad.
How is St. John’s Wort used?
St. John’s Wort uplifts the spirit during stressful times. It is often made into herbal extractions, infusions or juice for internal use. The fresh flowering buds are preferred when making herbal preparations to capture the medicinal components of the herb. The relaxing energies pair well with other herbs that support the nervous system, such as Feverfew, Passionflower, and Milky Oatmeal, all of which you’ll find in WishGarden Herb’s Emotional Ally: A Big Herbal Hug formula. This blend supports calmness during periods of sadness or stress. Think of it as lifting your face to a sunny sky and taking deep, long breaths; you will automatically become less tense!
St. John’s Wort also supports a healthy inflammatory response, making it ideal for relaxing muscles that are fatigued from daily wear and tear, strenuous exercise, or minor bruises and strains. In other words, it’s great for post-workout recovery or after a long hike in the mountains. That’s why you’ll find it in tinctures like WishGarden’s Deep Recovery Musclar-Skeletal. Or, for targeted use, try our infused, handcrafted arnica oil with St. John’s Wort for topical use. The red nature of the oil is due to a compound called hypericin and flavonoids such as quercetin.
A long history with healers
Healers have a historic and enduring connection with St. John’s Wort. It is considered gentle enough for everyone from children to the elderly if used properly, and it aims not only for emotional support, but also for physical support. In traditional herbal medicine, St. John’s wort is considered a neurotrophic agent, meaning it has an affinity with our nervous system. Modern healers find St. John’s Wort useful in addressing nervous tension and inner frustration, further demonstrating its dynamic use.
WishGarden Herbs owner and formulator Catherine Hunziker in a field of St. John’s wort.
Why the reference to St. John?
St. John’s wort is so called because it usually blooms and is harvested during the summer solstice in late June, also called midsummer, close to the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24. The herb was even hung in houses. and doorways on St. John’s to ward off evil spirits. Some also believe that the red oil extracted from the herb represents the blood of John the Baptist.
Precautions to keep in mind when using St. John’s wort
As with all herbs, it is important to consult your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort. Hypericum may have contraindications to the use of medications, so check with your pharmacist. Read more about the safety of St. John’s wort on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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