June is actually the month to see this plant in bloom and it is at this time that I go on my annual pilgrimage to harvest this plant. However this year I am traveling and encountering St John’s Wort in July as we drive along these highways in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. My eyes are darting this way and that and delighting in seeing my old friend proudly displaying its clusters of golden star-shaped flowers on erect stems that grow up to three feet high.
This is another one of those plants that were brought over by colonists from Europe and since then has become naturalized. It grows most abundantly in our west coast states especially in Northern California and Southern Oregon. It is also known as Klamath Weed.
St John’s Wort grows well in sunny locations enjoying heat and dryness, putting out extensive runners that make it a difficult plant to contain. On holding up a leaf to the light one can see little “pores” which are oil glands. The yellow petals have little black dots on their perimeter that also contain these oil glands. On crushing the flower buds a purplish – reddish dye coats your skin. This red oil “hypericin” is associated with the blood of St John the Baptist and his beheading. It is in full flower on St John’s day: June 24th, which also coincides with the beginning of summer and the midsummer rituals. It is an herb that was associated with the power to drive away ghosts and witches and to give protection from thunder and lightning.
St John’s Wort has been in use for the past 2500 years. It was used as a nerve pain and was a popular household remedy for preventing mood disorders. About 50 years ago a German doctor began using it for clinical depression. This herb has been extensively researched and has quite the reputation for treating mild and moderate depression. It is also good for treating mood swings associated with depression, menopause and P.M.S, mild anxiety, insomnia when it is coupled with mood swings and depression, bedwetting and night terrors in children.
The way I enjoy St John’s Wort is to have it as part of my first aid kit. I harvest the flowers and infuse the fresh flowers in olive oil for a month. After straining it, the oil should be a vivid red. I keep it as oil or use it in a skin salve. The oil is great for: first degree and mild to moderate 2nd degree burns, skin abrasions, bruises, reducing pain and inflammation and nerve pain. The oil can be used as a massage oil to help with sprains and strained ligaments, tendons and muscles. It is one the most medicinal and potent healing herbs I know and I simply cannot do without it. One can also take it internally for ulcers. One of the few side effects of this herb is a sensitivity to light. So be careful if you are taking this internally and you are fair and have sensitive skin. It can be also be toxic to cows and sheep so in some areas it has been considered a pest.
A great perennial herb! One worth having in a garden in a defined area!