PLANTS TO BOOST MOOD: ST. JOHN'S WORT FOCUS
St. John’s Wort
(Hypericum perforatum)
This wonder herb has been considered a medicinally valuable plant for over 2000 years. The Greek physicians of the first century, Galen, Dioscorides, Pliny, and Hippocrates, recommended the herb as a diuretic, wound-healing herb, treatment for menstrual disorders, and cure for intestinal worms and snakebites. It’s most commonly known today for its effectiveness in supporting depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.
Commonly available as capsules or tablets, it can also be taken in medicinal grade teas and tinctures. Typically the aerial parts of the plant are used (the flowers). Applied topically in macerated oils (for example Sunflower oil) Hypericum can also be useful for treating burns, treating wounds, viral infections, skin ulcers, minor cuts and menopausal neurosis.
Herbal actions:
Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic (topically), antiviral, anxiolytic, astringent, nervine tonic, relaxant, wound healing
Indications (health conditions it is useful for supporting):
Anxiety, irritability
Nervousness, nervous excitability and nervous exhaustion
Depression, including postnatal and menopausal
Fibrositis
Sciatica, neuralgia
PMS
Wounds (topically)
Cautions:
Hypericum induces the CYP450 enzyme system, in other words it effects phase one of the liver detox process. It increases the activity of the liver enzymes that metabolise and inactivate pharmaceutical drugs, lowering effective blood levels. So if you’re on medication, e.g. the contraceptive pill - Hypericum could speed up liver detox to the extent that the medication leaves your body too quickly to become effective. Always be sure to consult a naturopathic practitioner or herbalist if you are on medication and interested in taking Hypericum for its therapeutic effect.
St. John’s Wort is in season now: How can you forage and use it at home?
St. John’s wort is one sign that summer has indeed arrived. It typically blooms very near to the summer solstice, which is a useful identifier as to the best time to harvest the aerial parts with their sunny yellow flowers. The harvest season of St. John’s wort is short, lasting from late June - July but the flowers can still be viable in early autumn (now!).
It’s easy to use at home as a relaxing tea. Teas made from aromatic flowers and leaves, steeped in boiling water, are one of the most ancient drinks. Usually, the flowers are harvested as they begin to grow, they can either be used fresh or dried for use in liquid extracts or medicated oils.
To make tea; use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of fresh flowers for every 250ml of boiling water. Pour the boiling water over the flowers in a china or glass pot (metal changes the taste and composition of the herbal tea). Leave the tea to brew for up to 10 mins (at least 4), it should be lightly coloured and mild to taste.
For more information and guidance on plant identification and foraging, visit here.
