Friday's Herbal - St. John's Wort

Since moving into our house last August, I've noticed this low growing, green, leafy plant spreading through the flower bed.  I didn't think too much about it, had no idea what it was, and didn't know if I'd keep it.  Then one day last month, I went outside and it was covered in bright yellow blossoms.  The word "hypernicum" popped in my head from out of nowhere, so I went in to the computer and looked it up.  Hypernicum seems to be one spelling (maybe a misspelling?) of this weeks herb!

Common Name: St. John's Wort
Latin: Hypericum perforatum

St. John's Wort is a low growing, shrubby plant.  It's a hardy perennial native to Europe and naturalized elsewhere, and comes with its share of mystical lore.  A legend from the Isle of Wight says that if you stepped on this plant at twilight you could be carried off by a fairy horse and not return until daylight.  I'm not sure where that horse will take you.  Maybe fairyland.  Sprigs of the plant were thought to drive out or ward off demons and other evil spirits.

As Christianity spread, the herb became associated with St. John the Baptist.  It was said to bloom on June 24th, his birthday.  Oddly enough, that is about the same time that I noticed it in my backyard.  I wish I knew exactly what day mine began to bloom.  I know it was a few days before June 29.  How does this plant know what day it is?  Why does it start to bloom that week and not the week before or the week after?

Anyway, back to the Baptist... The leaves are supposed to bleed red on the August anniversary of the day St. John was beheaded.  In my reading I saw that the petals are supposed to turn red if you crush them.  Mine turned at best a little orange.  On more searching, it seems that what I have in my garden is actually Hypericum calycinum, still a member of the St. John's Wort family, but not the medicinal variety.  This one is more ornamental.  And it bleeds less.

This turning red of the perforatum species probably accounts for its use by ancient Greeks and Romans for dressing wounds.  The Doctrine of Signatures was/is a method of telling what an herb should be used for judging from it's appearance.  The pore-like holes in the leaves of Hypericum perforatum suggest that this plant is also useful for healing skin ailments.

Traditionally St. John's Wort was used to treat bedwetting, nervous coughs, uterine cramps, anemia, and worms.  Today we know this herb as an over-the-counter help for depression.  It is also said to soothe the digestive system, to help ulcers and gastritis.  Folk remedies call for its use in treating diarrhea and nausea.

As a depression remedy, I can vouch for its effectiveness.  I find it to be a great help during the low light winter months.  Caution should be exercised though when using the herb for long periods, especially if you spend much time in the sun, as it can cause photosensitivity, which can result in dermatitis, inflammation of the mucus membranes or even more severe reactions.  In order for St. John's Wort to be effective as an anti-depressant, one must take it daily so that it builds up in your system.  This is why I never take it during the sunny months.  I learned that lesson the hard way with a very uncomfortable rash, and if I remember right, there was vomiting involved.  Just don't do it.

If you are going to grow your own for medicinal uses, the plant is said to be the most potent on St. John's Day, June 24th.  Myself, not being confident enough of telling the difference between the different species, I'll stick to the capsules I get from the store.

St. John's Wort does make an attractive garden plant.  It spreads by runners, and fills in areas fairly quickly, but doesn't take over or crowd out other plants.  It's pretty easily corralled; if it starts going into an area where you don't want it, just yank it up.  

Ok, my brain just got stuck.  I've been staring at the computer screen for several minutes, not typing.   I think it's time to go do something crafty for awhile.  We have a busy weekend planned, with a trip to the farmers market, a fun play, and a girls only outing to a higher altitude where it will be cooler and the wildflowers are blooming.  I'll get pictures.

Have a fun and rejuvenating weekend!