St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum, L. .

This perennial herb grows abundantly in fields on its own accord and is sometimes considered a pest when too freely mingled in corn and wheat fields.. The upright woody stems reach a height of 1-2 ft. The leaves are stalkless, ½ in. long growing in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. The dark green leaves are full of transparent holes which can be plainly seen when the leaf is held up to the light, (see close-up picture above) and sometimes marked with black spots on the underside. Yellow flowers of five petals apiece, rather close clustered with many yellow threads in the middle, blooms from June to August. St John's wort owes its name to the fact that it begins to flower around St. John's tide, the summer solstice, my favorite time to pick it. (Picture taken in the Wildflower Meadow June30/99).

Medicinal Part: The tops and flowers (unopened flower bud is best)

Solvents: Boiling Water, alcohol

Uses:
Internally it is a pain-relieving sedative used in treating anxiety, nervous tension and neuralgia. It is also an antidepressant and can be used in the treatment of chronic depressive illness, anxiety and restlessness, lightening the mood and inducing a certain euphoria. Although it must be taken for several months before its full effects can be realized, its benefits can be felt within a few weeks. It is also used in AIDS as an antiviral .
-The oil treats wounds, burns ulcers and nerve pain associated with sciatica, rheumatism and varicose veins. It is a specific for the treatment of diseases directly affecting the spine.
-Homeopathic St. John's wort, called Hypericum, is specific for all types of nerve pain..
Dose:
Of the tincture, 8-15 drops in water before meals. As a tea, 1 teaspoonful of the tops and flowers, cut small or granulated, to 1 cupful of boiling water; sweeten to taste with honey

Externally: The fresh bruised flowers added to olive oil and placed in a glass container to age in the sun for ten days to two weeks, after which time fresh flowers replace the old ones, and simmered in original container on a bed of straw, to keep the glass from breaking is excellent for swollen breasts and hard tumours, sciatic pain, ulcers, old sores and all wounds.. Can be applied as a fomentation of boiled flowers and tops for the above mentioned when caught unprepared.