The Solstice harvest of Hypericum Perforatum (Saint John's Worth) was
a rather large one this year.
This is one of the most important herbs of midsummer that I harvest in the wild. It is strongly influenced by the midday sun. The countless gold and yellow filaments burst out of the centre like sun rays.
The flowers come out during the dry weather near summer solstice in june, they look like tiny suns.
It is devoted to the sun like no other plant indegenous of Europe.
As a medicinal herb, this plant of the sunflower family has a soothing effect on the nerves, bring light into the soul, and chase away darkness,
heh 8)
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I saw alot yesterday! Being in East Canada, i assure you there are some, south states aswell california, southern oregon,colorado,europe and it is said to be usually around summer sotstice. It has a 2400 year history of effective usage in many folk and herbal
remedies. Historically used as a nerve tonic,
St. John's wort is used
as a mild antidepressant. It is a potent antiviral and antibacterial that is being
used as a treatment for AIDS.
It grows on sunlit hills
and forest edges and is best harvested when it flowers. St John's Wort blooms from June to August.
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some studies and information taken from links like :http://www.healthsalon.com/stjohns.htm ^^
One of the best herbs for mood elevation
It usually grows in dry, sunny places, where the ground is well drained (meaning rocks in soil helps!).The seeds germinate in sunlight.
The plant(s) after picking must be dryed upside down in ventilated area and preferably very dark.
I make tea, infusions with it.
John's Worth is so saturated with light that it can pass it's light effects onto other organisms. Light skinned people, (or even dark) can develop photosensitivity;infected, inflammed/burnt skin; and stomach cramps when you eat it or drink it and go directly in alot of sunlight, it is serious , watch out!
Chemists believe that the red pigment hypericin, a phenolic compound, is responsible for the euphoric antidepressant effect.
I think it is interesting after tea, to observe the effects in meditation following the homeopathic method of proving. Bright geometric shapes and clouds rain are usually bright behind closed lids, this being the entopic phenomena of light.
Leave some for the birds and bees, dont go cutting them all down!
Do not rip or pull, cut on an angle over the branch junction to favorise the replenishing and growth of the plant.
Here are some photos I have taken of Saint John's Worth
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All photos © Mycelium Networks 2006
Nice pictures!
I wasn't aware of st. johns wort's antibacterial and antiviral properties, interesting. It doesn't grow wild in my area but I've seen it at a few nurseries. I'd like to see a hillside of them.
I like the connection of the bright yellow flowers, sucking up the sun, to it's anti-depressive/light-sensitizing effects. Seems appropriate.
nniice pics!!!
walking around today i saw those little yellow flowers and thought: "hey thats the pics posted on the forum!!"..to be sure, i picked one, sure thing, its st johns wart. patches of it outside, and now i can recognize them..
very sweet, thanx for sharing:)
Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Fuzz im so glad you have found some due to the shots here i posted.
Let me know if you harvest any and so on, id love to hear what you think
of the infusion.
Mine are dryed and put in mason jars, the potency varies from area to area depending where its harvested. I notice now that when I harvest it in the woods it is more potent than if picked in city limits/outskirts.
Or it could be that I had not harvested at the same time, do not forget the summer solstice is the best time to harvest so it may help aswell.
aaawwww i want some now!
how dare you tawnt me like that! they looked so healthy and nice why did you kill them you killer! lol those are good pics you have me wanting a SJW plant now