St. John’s Wort
The five-petal yellow flower of St. John’s wort may have become the unofficial icon of natural medicine. The herb has attracted a lot of attention since the 1990s, when the public caught wind of studies that found it could be used to treat mild depression without the side effects of drugs such as Prozac. This plant is native to Europe and Asia but now grows all over North America, and in many Canadian provinces it’s a nuisance because it can be toxic to livestock. It can also cause foraging animals to become sun-sensitive, a side effect that’s shared by humans. We’re not sure whether the plant also makes cows happier and less depressed going into middle age!
Health Benefits
Since ancient Greece, St. John’s wort has been hailed as a remedy for wounds, sores, burns, bruises, sprains, inflammation, and nerve pain. It was used for coughs, nervous exhaustion, epilepsy, depression, and even psychosis.
Today, St. John’s wort is most commonly used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and depression. It’s not clear exactly which compounds in the plant have antidepressant properties. Some research suggests St. John’s wort extract increases production of feel-good chemicals in the brain—namely the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
St. John’s wort works well both internally and externally. However, sensitivity will vary from person to person, so if you’re making your own herbal remedies you may need to experiment to find the appropriate dose for you.
DIFFICULTY
Easy to medium
HARDINESS
Perennial in zones 4 to 9
TIME TO PLANT
Spring
TIME TO HARVEST
Summer
LOCATION
Full to part sun
SOIL TYPE
Rich, well-drained (will also tolerate poor soils)
Growing
St. John’s wort is a relatively low-maintenance deciduous shrub that is both functional and beautiful. It produces flowers in summer on multiple stems measuring 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 feet), displaying vibrant yellow blooms that attract a host of pollinators including bees and butterflies. St. John’s wort can be enjoyed as a cut flower, in mass landscape plantings and containers, as a ground cover, and in woodland gardens and cottage gardens alike. The plant isn’t a heavy feeder, and it can survive without water for lengthy periods.
Common Varieties: There are hundreds of species of Hypericum, including annuals, perennials, shrubs, and even trees. For medicinal use, H. perforatum is the species of choice. For ornamental use in the garden, however, you can substitute H. kalmianum (varieties include ‘Ames’ and ‘Kalm’s’) or H. androsaemum (‘Albury Purple’).
PLANT
St. John’s wort can be propagated from seed or stem cuttings, but it’s easiest just to buy a transplant. A 2-gallon container is the perfect size to give you a head start.
Plant in spring in a location with full to partial sun and rich, well-drained soil. While St. John’s wort will survive in poor soils, it will thrive if there’s more organic matter. St. John’s wort does not enjoy wet feet, so drainage is very important. Do not plant in clay soils.
Score the roots before planting to loosen the compacted fibres. Then dig a hole twice the width of the container and one-and-a-half times the depth. Ensure the root ball is slightly above ground level, firmly tamp soil, and keep evenly moist until established. Within 4 to 6 weeks the shrub will start to root in.
One key to gardening success is purchasing healthy plants. When you visit the garden centre look for rich, green foliage that’s free of any damage or sign of disease (such as holes or spots). The roots should not be growing out of the bottom of the pot, and when you slide the plant out of the pot they should appear white and firm (black and soft roots are a sign of root rot). Stems should be firm and strong. I also recommend not purchasing plants that are already flowering: It’s better to buy them when they’re budding.
GROW
A general rule for flowering shrubs is “prune only after bloom.” This holds true for St. John’s wort. You can prune this shrub when you harvest the flowers: Just make sure not to remove more than one-third of the plant.
St. John’s wort is disease- and insect-resistant, as well as drought-tolerant, so it pretty much takes care of itself. It will benefit from mulching and occasional weeding.
Some varieties of St. John’s wort spread by sending roots underground, making this an ideal ground cover. But in some areas the plant will require thinning and some removal to prevent it from overtaking the entire garden.
HARVEST
Harvest whenever the flowers appear in midsummer. Wait until the dew has dried but the air is still cool. Use sharp shears and never harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time.
STORE
St. John’s wort flowers can be used fresh or you can dry them by hanging bunches in a cool, dry, dark place for 7 to 10 days (see “Drying Herbs at Home” on page 365). Other drying options include using a dehydrator or baking on a baking sheet at low temperature until the leaves have curled, but air-drying works best. Store the dried flowers in an airtight container out of direct light.
Put It to Work
Mild depression? Try this tincture!
Depression is a serious condition, so don’t self-diagnose. Get evaluated by a doctor who will determine whether your case is truly mild. If you don’t need more conventional medication, this tincture can help. It’s very potent stuff, so use it sparingly and cautiously!
Collect a resealable glass jar (like a Mason jar) full of flower tops from your St. John’s wort plants. (Your fingers will turn red as you pick them—don’t worry, it’s normal.) Fill the jar to the brim with vodka (at least 80 proof). Place wax paper over the mouth of the jar and then screw the lid on tightly to seal it. Within minutes you should see the flowers turning red as they release their active ingredients into the tincture. Set aside in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks, shaking the jar once daily to release the oil.
After 4 weeks, cover the mouth of the jar with a coffee filter or cheesecloth and strain the liquid into a sterile dark-coloured jar with a tight-fitting lid (discard solids).
To aid with mild depression, take 1 teaspoon twice daily with food. The tincture will keep indefinitely stored in a cool, dark place.
Crush a finger or toe? Go, pain, go!
Ever slam a finger in a door, stub your toe on a chair leg, or smack your head on a wall? We’ve all done it, and it hurts so badly! If you can get to the St. John’s wort oil in time, however, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can find relief.
Combine ¼ cup freshly cut St. John’s wort flower heads and 1 cup of almond oil in a resealable glass jar (like a Mason jar) and seal tightly. Set aside at room temperature for 6 weeks, shaking frequently. Cover the mouth of the jar with a coffee filter and strain the liquid into a sterile dark-coloured glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
For crushing nerve pain or trauma, rub liberally onto the affected area. The infusion will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Feeling gloomy or moody? Drink this tea daily!
If you’re feeling low or moody, St. John’s wort tea can provide the benefits of the herb at a very mild dose. It has a slightly woody and bitter taste, but this can be balanced with the addition of honey and peppermint.
Collect ¼ cup of St. John’s wort flower heads in a mug. Pour boiling water over top, cover with a saucer, and steep for 10 minutes. Add 2 to 3 peppermint leaves and 1 teaspoon honey. Drink it daily as a nerve tonic, and as a nightcap to calm the mind and the bladder.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to the health food store to purchase Genestra St. Johnswort tincture or equivalent. Follow the instructions on the label.
Cautions
St. John’s wort may interact with medications used to treat depression or other mood disorders, including tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Taking St. John’s wort with these medications could lead to a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.
Because it’s processed by the same enzyme in the liver that metabolizes many drugs, St. John’s wort can potentially cause drug interactions that have not yet been reported.
Adverse effects such as stomach upset, fatigue, itching, sleep disturbance, and skin rash have been reported.
St. John’s wort can make the skin much more sensitive to sunlight.
People with a history of manic-depressive illness (bipolar disorder), or a less severe condition known as hypomania, should avoid St. John’s wort as it may trigger a manic episode.