This time of year, I enjoy seeing all the sunny St. John’s wort blooms show their faces. Renowned for its diverse medicinal benefits, this herb (the most common medicinal variety being Hypericum perforatum) is best used when harvested fresh, to ensure the highest content of the constituent hypericin, which is responsible for many of its most valued qualities.
My favourite way to use St. John’s wort is to infuse it fresh into oil for topical applications. It turns into a simple morning ritual, going out to pick some fresh blooms for my concoction before the heat of the day has set in (after which constituents may be destroyed). I always leave some blossoms for the pollinators.
If you have this plant growing nearby and you are curious about making your own infusion, it’s simple to do!
What you need:
Fresh St. John’s wort flowers (pick them as soon as they open, on a dry morning—you can also use buds just about to open).
Enough oil to immerse the flowers you picked (you can use pretty much any food-grade oil, feel free to experiment!)
A clean glass jar
Cheesecloth
An elastic band or string to keep the cheesecloth in place
Instructions:
Simply place your flowers in the glass jar, and add your oil until plant matter is completely submerged (I like to have a half inch of oil on top at least).
Fix a piece of cheesecloth on top of the jar with the elastic band, securing it in place.
Leave in a sunny location to infuse for 4 to 6 weeks.
By the end of the process, your oil should be red! The vibrancy of the red comes from the hypericin in the flowers, so this indicates a successful infusion of that constituent. Some herbalists like to use the entire aerial plant, adding a few leaves and stems with their flowers for a “whole plant” constituent profile. If you opt to include stems and leaves, expect your oil to be less vivid in colour (but just as medicinal, perhaps even more so).
Contraindications:
St. John’s wort has been associated with photosensitivity, and when taken internally can interact with many medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and others. Do not take this plant internally if pregnant or breastfeeding.
P.S. If your fingers are stained with hypericin after harvesting, you're doing it right:
Disclaimer:
All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care.
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