St John's Wort

St. John’s wort (botanical name Hypericum Perforatum) is also known as Tipton’s weed, Klamath weed and goat weed. It is an aromatic perennial plant belonging to the Hypericaceae family. The herb is native to Europe, but over the years has been introduced to several temperate regions across the globe, especially in the United States, and is found to grow naturally in numerous meadows. The herb derived its name St. John’s wort because it bears golden yellow blossoms that appear in abundance particularly on June 24 - the day customarily commemorated as the birthday of John the Baptist. The aerial parts of the plants, including the leaves and flowering tops that are therapeutically applied are harvested at about that time. On the other hand, the genus name Hypericum is derived from the Greek terms ‘hyper’ (denoting above) and ‘eikon’ (meaning picture) indicating that once the plant was conventionally used to protect against evil by hanging the plants over a religious symbol in the house during St John's day. The herb’s species name ‘perforatum’ denotes the existence of small oil glands in the leaves that resemble windows and are visible when they are held against the light.

Today is the day traditionally when St. John's Wort was harvested as it was usually in full bloom by this time. Legend has it that the plant moves around to hide from those who seek its powers at midsummer when it is made into garlands and charms to protect the home and livestock. It had to be gathered in a particular manner:

St.John's Wort, St. John's Wort,

I deem lucky the one who will have you;

I harvest you with my right hand,

I store you away with my left hand;

Whosoever finds you in the fold of young animals

Will never want for anything.

Country folk often picked bunches of the herb and hung them in byres and stables to frighten evil spirits and keep the devil away. It was tossed into the bonfire or hearth fires and allowed to burn to protect the home against lightening and storms. St. John's Wort gathered at noon on Midsummer day was reputed to be effective against several illnesses.

St. John's Wort Tea

2 tsp. St. John's Wort flowers

1 cup boiling water

Infuse for ten minutes and strain. The infusion is used for the treatment of anemia, rheumatism, headaches, nervous conditions, asthma, bronchial catarrh, irregular menstruation, mild depression, and insomnia. St. John's Wort has been called "nature's Prozac" and ahas been proven effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression with fewer side effects than prescription antidepressants. As such, doctors in Continental Europe frequently prescribe it. (I have been using capsules of St. John's Wort for depression for a year now, it works very well for me.)