St. John's Wortis a durable plant with valuable healing properties and a wide range of uses. On Saint John the Baptist, flowering shoots of St. John's Wort were given wreaths and omens were made of the quantity and color of the leaking juice. Many superstitions were associated with this plant, as it was supposed to protect against witchcraft and evil powers. Learn moreuses and healing properties of St. John's wortFind out what the cultivation of St. John's wort in the garden looks likeand use its magical potential!
St. John's wort - Hypericum perforatum
Fig. © Herbi, PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
St. John's Wort - description
"St. John&39;s wort(Hypericum perforatum) is colloquially referred to as St. John&39;s wort. In Poland, it can be found in fields, meadows, on the edge of the forest, but it will also be perfect in the garden as a complementary plant for a sunny bed or rockery. "
St. John's wort grows up to 100 cm tallIts habit is erect, and the leaves are opposite, oblong ovate, rounded or blunt, lighter on the underside.On the leaves of St. John's wort , when viewed against the light, you can see many bright dots and a few black dots next to the nerves - light ones are tanks containing essential oils and resin, and dark ones are with red dye and essential oil.
St. John's wort has a strongly developed root system, thanks to which it anchors strongly in the soil.Yellow-colored St. John's wort flowers , black-spotted, appear from June to August.
St. John's Wort - use and healing properties
St. John's wort containsanthranoid compounds, hypericin and its derivatives, among others. hyperforin, flavonoid glycosides - hyperoside, rutoside, quercetin, xanthones, catechin tannins, caffeic and chlorogenic acids and essential oil.
Hypericin is found in numerous glands in the petals of the calyx and large transparent glandular cells in the leaves. As a result,the leaves of St. John's wort look perforatedHypericin itself is yellow, but it has fascinating properties - in the sun it turns purple-red, which makes our fingers rub when we rub the St. John's wort flowers. red.
St. John's wort oil is obtained
Fig. depositphotos.com
St. John's wort extracts used internally have an antispasmodic and astringent effect. In brewing mixtures, St. John's wort is used as an antidepressant, often combined with hawthorn or chamomile.
Note!If we use St. John's wort, we should not sunbathe, because the hypericin contained in it makes the skin very sensitive to the sun.
St. John's wort is a component of manypreparations used in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. St. John's Wort Oil Extract is also used as a wound healing agent.
You can also preparevaluable St. John's wort oil . To prepare it, you will need:
- two handfuls of fresh shredded flowers,
- liter cold pressed olive oil,
- light bottle, dark bottle, parchment paper or handkerchief.
Pour the fresh flowers of St. John's wortwith olive oil, then pour the leaven into a clear bottle and cover the hole with a tissue. Place the mixture in the sun for 3-4 weeks and stir it every 3 days. Gradually the sun stimulates hypericin and over time it becomes bright red and finally purple.After this time, drain the mixture and pour the red oil into a darker bottle.
Soothing pain, increasing circulationUse St. John's wort oilin case of sports injuries, sciatica and other rheumatic ailments.
When to collect St. John's wort?
St. John's wort is used in medicineHarvesting is carried out during the flowering of St. John's wort from the end of June to September, when the weather is sunny and the shoots are dry. We can collect St. John's wort twice a year. Young, freshly blossomed shoots are cut at half height and dried in natural conditions (in the shade and in the air) or in drying rooms at approx. 40 ° C.
St. John's wort - Hypericum perforatum
Fig. Javier martin, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
St. John's wort - cultivation
St. John's wort is a hardy plantthat feels best in full sun. It will grow perfectly in a rock garden or on a natural bed in a rustic style.
St. John's wort for garden cultivationworks best on sandy and slightly acidic soils. If we have heavy soil in the garden, it should be loosened with sand. St. John's wort does not like liming and over-fertilizing. In a snow-free winter, it is worth covering St. John's wort with a cover of spruce branches against frost and strong winds.We reproduce St. John's wortfrom seeds and by dividing the rhizome.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
