St. John's Wort (Dried)

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
 
St. John's wort is a shrubby plant with clusters of yellow flowers that have five oval, elongated vibrant petals and its many long stamens that can be easily spotted in fields. The leaves appear to have pinpricks (oil glands) that are visible when held up to the sky. It likes to grow in poorer, well-drained soils or around property lines, and loves the sun. 
 
 You know you have the right plant when it “bleeds” a beautiful deep reddish purple after squeezing one of the buds that comes from the active constituent hypericin. This pigment can only be extracted from fresh plants and creates a gorgeous deep red product – making it a really fun plant to work with. Both the flowers and leaves have been used as medicine since ancient times.
 
Originally native to Europe, the herb was brought to North America in the 1700s where it was grown in gardens for both its beauty and its medicinal use. Long since escaped from the early apothecary gardens, St. John’s Wort can now be found growing wild in abundance throughout the continent. California, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota and Washington consider it a noxious weed - as a lover of St. John's Wort this really hurts my feelings. 
 
The plant gets its name because it is often in full bloom around June 24, the day traditionally celebrated as the birthday of John the Baptist. Though in our area of Western New York, we usually harvest after July 4th.  
 
Its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic actions help relax sore, inflamed muscles and aches and pains by releasing heat and reducing swelling, and because of its affinity for the nervous system, St. John’s wort may be especially helpful when used on areas where pain is nerve related and helpful in repairing nerve damage.
Enjoy the summer, stay cool and take care of your skin.