All About St. John’s- Wort

 

This beautiful herb is a perennial, with a lifespan of several years if not over-harvested. Sow seeds in late March on prepared soil. Do not cover the seeds. They need chilling in order to sprout in April. Scatter the seeds on prepared soil, 12 inches apart.

Grows to a height of 24 inches. Keep the soil evenly moist until the plants are established. St. John’s -Wort blooms in late June, and produces bright yellow, star shaped flowers.

Harvest only the flowering tops while the plants are in bloom. This is the only time that hypericin is at its peak. Hypericin is the primary component responsible for St. John’s medicinal benefits. Do not harvest non-flowering tops.

While St. John’s is promoted as an anti-depressant, the herb is also beneficial as a topical skin treatment, and can be used as a poultice for sore muscles.

Home Pharmacy Uses: Tincture, compress, poultice, salve, ointment, foot soak, infused oil, and bath herb.

~ Meadow Walker