History

St. John’s wort owes its name to the fact that it flowers at the time of the summer solstice on or around St. John’s Day on 24 June. Having been administered as a remedy by the Roman military doctor Proscurides as early as the 1st century AD, it was mainly used for magic potions during the Middle Ages. It was not only used to protect humans and animals against witches, demons, and evil diseases. Paracelsus was one of the first doctors to concern themselves with St. John’s wort. However, where it had formerly been used for a plethora of indications, in more recent times it has found its place in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. In numerous clinical double-blind trials against placebo and other antidepressants, the whole extract of St. John’s wort, e.g. as in Jarsin coated tablets, has proved to be just as effective as the other antidepressants for mild and moderate depression, but not for severe depression.

Historically, St. John’s wort has been used for a variety of conditions, including depression, stomach ulcers, and colds, and to aid wound healing. Currently, St. John’s wort is most widely promoted for symptoms of depression.

• Depression,
• Stomach ulcers,
• Colds,
• Aid wound healing

St. John’s Wort Oil

Items Needed:

• St. John’s Wort flowering tops (the flowers and a couple of inches of the plant itself. Best picked at the peak of blossoming, in the sunshine to intensify the natural oils.)
• Olive Oil (enough to cover the flowers)
• A jar with a lid

Instructions:

1. Make sure there are no little bugs on your St. John’s Wort.  You can do this by shaking the plants and leaving them to sit in a sunny area for an hour or so.
2. Put the flowering tops in a jar. Press them down.
3. Cover with olive oil. This is the trickiest part – you have to have all of the plant covered with oil or it might mold! As long as all of the flowers are covered with oil, you’ll be fine.
4. LABEL THE JAR. Always always always. You will forget what it is otherwise.
5. Set in a sunny window for at least 2 weeks. 4 weeks is better. You want the oil to take on a bright red color.

Now strain out the flowers. I do this with a strainer over a bowl. First pour all the flowers into the strainer, then squeeze out the remaining oil with your hands. This is the fun part!

Pour into clean, dark bottles. It’s always best to store oil in a dark bottle, it preserves it better. Of course, if you don’t have a dark bottle, just keep it in a dark cupboard.

How to use:

Just rub a small amount into the affected area several times per day.

Remember: with any homemade product, you should test it on a small area first before applying to your whole body!! This oil is intended for external use only (just rub it on your skin – don’t eat it!) The oil should last for at least a year.