(Hypericum perforatum)
extracted by tincture in distilled water and food grade alcohol
Anti-inflamatory/ Antispasmodic / Anti-viral / Anxiolytic / Vulnerary
Plant Description: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has a five petal yellow flower with leaves that reveal the transparent oil glands containing the chemical photo sensitizer known as hypericin, which can be seen in the outlined cellular structure when held up to the sunlight. The plant, though indigenous to Europe, came to North America with the early colonists. The common name comes from its traditional flowering and harvesting on St. John’s day, June 24th (Europe).
Historical Notation: St. John’s Wort was commonly referred to as "Fuga Demonum" (the devil's scourge) since it was used to protect against demonic possession and "evil spirits". One of the earliest references to the name St. John's Wort is noted in a Gaelic legend from the sixth century where the missionary St. Columba carried a piece of St. John's Wort because of his high regard for St. John. It is believed that the name may have been derived from the fact that the flowers bloom around June 24th, the birthday of St. John the Baptist. St. John's wort has been known for its numerous medicinal properties as far back as Roman times. It was a valued remedy on the Roman battlefields where it was used to promote healing from trauma and inflammation.
Constituents - Chemicals & Nutrients: (Whole Plant) ascorbic acid, benzacatechin, carotenoids, ceryl-alcohol, chlorophyllm choline, emodinathranol, epicatechin, gurjunene, hyperforin, hypericins, hypericodihydroanthrone, herperin, hyperoside, imanin, isohypericin, isoquercitrin, isovaleric-acid-ester, lead, limonene, mannitol, myristic-acid, novoimanin, palmitic-acid, pectin, phenol, phlobaphene, phyloroglucinol, phytosterols, prothohypericin, protopseudohypericin, provitamin-a, pseudohypericin, pseudohypericodihydroanthrone, pyrogallol, quercetin, quercitrin, resorcynol, rutin, sitosterol, stearic-acid, tannins, violaxanthin; (Essential Oil) cadinene, caryophylene, cineole, methyl-2-octane, myrcene, n-nonane, n-octanol, pinene; (Leaf) cadmium; (Seed) carotene, fat, saponin, protein; (Flower) flavonoids, lutein, luteoxanthin, trollichrome.
Common Usage: Ingested to relieve inflammatory pain, anxiety and mild depression (especially in men), and to speed wound healing when used as a topical application. Used also to improve capillary circulation, increases cardiac circulation, and ease gastrointestinal distress.
Dosage:
Anti-inflammatory - ½ to 1 tsp. twice daily for three days. Hypericum is safer than aspirin for the stomach lining and is not reported to cause internal bleeding.
Anti-depressant - ½ to 1 tsp. twice daily for 3 weeks
Warnings:
St. John’s Wort taken internally will cause photosensitivity and photo-dermatitis in people with fair or sensitive skin. Sunlight activates the hypercin in the plant which can cause blistering and peeling of the skin if you are taking this herb and exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged amount of time. References to the plant as toxic are based on the reports that livestock, when overgrazing where St. John’s Wort is abundant, eventually suffer from edema of the eyes, ears, and face as a result. Pregnant or lactating women should not use the herb. Individuals taking any prescribed anti-depressant medication should not take St. John’s Wort.
References:
[1] Free Medical Dictionary on-line http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/St.+John%27s+wort
[2] UpToDate2011 on-line http://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-use-of-st-johns-wort
Note: This information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare provider. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of this extract is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare provider before taking this tincture.