My beloved Hypericum perforatum

 

My beloved Hypericum perforatum is a member of the Hypericaceae family, of the Hypericum genus.

A native to Europe and Asia, H. perforatum now grows throughout the northern hemisphere where seasons and rainfall have a relationship pattern. To my friends in the northeast U.S., think of our spring to autumn rains. Hypericum takes roots in meadows/lawns, along hedgerows, and on high, dry, sunny hilltops. And in recent years, our vegetable gardens. Hypericum seems to make a home in many sunny locations that are less traveled (I rarely see this rooted kin along roadways, or common paths). Where I live, Hypericum begins blooming as summer takes root, and the buds 'n' blooms (flowering tops) are harvested throughout the summer months.

The size of the plant is, as all plants are, influenced by its environment (soil quality, compactness, sun exposure and the like). Hypericum is a creeping perennial that can grow to 3 feet high (and higher), though drooping can set in as the season evolves. The stems are erect, somewhat woody, branching at the upper section, with opposite, oblong leaves measuring about ⅓ to 1 inch, with their telltale pellucid dots.

Hypericum is considered a invasive by some, and while non-native, I find this beloved to  quite well behaved. The plant, apparently, is known to be toxic to some grazing animals, though I have neither first nor second hand experiential knowledge of this.

The genus is born of Greek, hyper meaning above, and eikon meaning an image (think icon). This botanical name reflects the modern, christianized history of the plant being hung over religious icons during the christian Saint John’s day with intentions of protection. In all likelihood, this practice is much older. In any event, rest assured, this plant is protective!

Common name: Saint Joan's wort (in the Wise Woman Tradition), Saint John's wort.

Parts used: Buds, flowering tops.

Harvest: Budding and flowering tops, typically July to September in my part of the world.

Taste: Bitter, astringent, resinous. The fresh flower is often described as acrid, though I enjoy nibbling a few fresh buds and flowers every year.

Energetics: Cooling/neutral

Chakra association: Solar Plexus (and the Crown). Your mileage may vary. 

Key Actions: Anodyne, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, relaxing nervine, trophorestorative (invites harmony and balance to a particular organ or system - in this case, the nervous system - whether the state is in excess or deficient).

Constituents: Hypericin, bitters, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils, and others.

Contraindications: To me, none, though care of use, application and dosage should always be considered with pregnancy and breastfeeding. You’ll likely run across writings that warn of photosensitivity, which is not without merit… if you’re munching on it in a pasture with other grazing animals, or ingesting it in dry, powdered, capsulated form. Using this plant in the traditional ways, internally 'n' externally, (water, alcohol, vinegar, oil infusions) has not, in my experience and those around me, presented such a contraindication.

You might also come across information warning you that it interferes with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), once-popular antidepressant medications… or that it is an MAOI, complete with the dangerous side effects of the once-popular meds. It is not an MAOI, and while the fantasy-theory persists, it has long been disproven. Henriette Kres shares on her website that the constituent “Hypericin does show some MAO-inhibition in vitro at very high concentrations. At regular human doses, though, virtually nil.”

I’ve heard, too, that it can interfere with the efficacy of other pharmaceuticals, but have not read anything that convinces me of this. Of course, until such time that the pharmaceutical industry can tell me how their drugs interact with all their drugs, as well as with all foods 'n' herbs), I choose to trust botanicals (and other Nature-born foods) used in their long-standing traditional ways.

Medicinal use: Flame. Burns, inflammation, nerve injury and involvement, general wound healing. And think of these indications not only in physiological terms, but in holistic terms as well.

I use Hypericum perforatum for burns of all kinds, to both treat and prevent.

For decades I've engaged this plant as a sunscreen, topically, in both oil and tincture form. My experience (and I hear this from others) is that the impact seems cumulative, meaning I’ve needed to apply less 'n' less for this purpose over the years. You may have heard that Hypericum perforatum causes photosensitivity, but my findings suggest this is true only in the use of it in capsule form, which is not a traditional application of the herb, as Susun Weed has often reminded us.

I keep Hypericum in my kitchen for treating burns that happen there, applying a bit to the injured area as soon as it happens. I find a spray bottle of tincture blended with a bit of local honey to be a fast and simple way to administer the herb to the injury. It synergizes nicely with aloe too, which I keep in the freezer, and have many plants scattered about. Balms 'n' salves made with an infused oil of Hypericum perforatum are useful for the same, especially over the course of healing the wound.

I read an article, years back, by Susun Weed in Sage Woman magazine of how she used the tincture to prevent muscle soreness after excessive physical exertion. Since then, I’ve employed the tincture after such activity, internally (and topically), especially after the first major snowfall of winter (I shovel) and during the first garden tasks in spring (after a lazy winter hibernation). My results with this application never cease to dazzle me.

The Remington and Wood, 1918, The US Dispensary shares, “Among the complaints for which it was used were hysteria, mania, intermittent fever, dysentery, gravel, hemorrhages, pectoral complaints, worms, and jaundice; but it was, perhaps, most highly esteemed as a remedy in wounds and bruises, for which it was employed both internally and externally.”

It is certainly a wonderful Medicine for nerve injuries. Boericke, 1901: Materia Medica states, “The great remedy for injuries to nerves, especially of fingers, toes and nails. Crushed fingers, especially tips,” and I can attest to this. Of course, I’ve used it with injuries of every kind, especially where the nerves are excited or flaming. It mixes well with antispasmodics as a lovely and effective tincture (liniment) for dripping and/or gentle massage along the spine for back injuries. Quite frankly, I find this practice to have a positive impact on injury, inflammation, pain and most any disharmony most anywhere in the body.

Hypericum perforatum also promotes healthy tissue growth.

I could go on, yet you can see why this botanical is a beloved fixture in my Medicine bag.

Spiritual relationship: This is the botanical that asks, “Have you been burned?” It is also the botanical that asks, “For what do you burn?” Need I say more? 

Energetically, I find this herb to be a great match-up for those who carry the burden of trauma (past, present and future) with them and seem to enjoy sharing it with others, who wear their life-injuries like a badge, and who exhibit addictive-like behaviors to such less-than-positive and depleting experiences.

In such instances, and other intuitively guided cases, I’m most often drawn to use Hypericum perforatum as a tincture in super-homeopathic doses, as a flower essence, in blessing waters, carried in a pouch or pocket, or some other way. 

Some Usual Applications

Tincture
Tea

Infused vinegar (abrasions, small wounds)

Infused oil
Balms, ointments, lotions

Bath/soaks

Poultices/compresses

Spiritual healing - bathing, flower essence, etc.

sources:

Wikipedia for the botany bits
Boericke, 1901: Materia Medica
Henriette Kress
Remington and Woods, 1918, The Dispensary
Rosalee de la Forêt (notes from writings, workshops)
Susun Weed (various books, writings, videos, lectures)
and various notes from experience, workshops and classes

Peace. 🕊

A version of this entry was originally posted June 28, 2017 at When Weeds Whisper.