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Hardy perennial. Large yellow flowers with �hairy� centres from June to September. 1 � 3 ft (30 � 92 cm) high. Used in many herbal remedies, particularly as an anti-depressant. Believed that the herb�s name comes from the Knights of St John who treated the wounded in the Crusades with this plant. �Hypericum� comes from the Greek word for over a phantom or apparition � the scent is so obnoxious to Satan that he goes nowhere near it. Common in grassland, hedgerows and open woods, particularly chalky soil. Food plant of the Purple Cloud butterfly and caterpillars of the Treble Bar and Lesser Treble Bar moths.
Name derives from the fact that it is in flower on mid-summer�s day � St John�s Day � 24 June. The plant has been used to dry away evil spirits. The leaves have an incense-type smell which, when crushed and the smell inhaled, would make demons flee from the people they possessed! Similarly with a cup of tea made from the flowers. It was also deemed sensible to carry a sprig of St John�s Wort with you if you were out on your own at night in order to avoid possession by devils. The flowers were placed over religious images as protection from evil. Plant also provides protection from fire and lightning. It was dangerous to step on a plant otherwise a fairy would carry you off. The plant was believed to be able to move around and avoid picking. On the Isle of Man it was considered a sacred fairy plant but, conversely, some also believed it was an anti-fairy herb and would protect you against fairy spells. Again on the Isle of Man, it was believed that if you accidentally trod on the plant after sunset you would be kidnapped on the back of a fairy horse.
Witches used St John�s Wort to hear spirits. Rub dried leaves on wrists or temples when stressed. Sleep on a sachet of St John�s Wort and Sage to have prophetic dreams. In Scotland the plant is dedicated to St Columba. Columba found his child cattle herder weeping because he was afraid his cattle would wander off at night. Columba picked a St John�s Wort flower and put it under the child�s arm,, telling him to sleep in peace and no harm would befall him. If St John�s Wort is tied to a cradle, the baby will never be ill-wished and would thrive. Druids wore it in battle to make them invincible. Dioscorides recommended it for many ailments, such as sciatica and snake bites.
The crushed flowers produce a red oil which is used in treating anxiety, depression, rheumatism, gout, aches and pains. The leaves have oil glands which can be seen if you hold the leaf up to the light � it then appears transparent and perforated. It was said that these are the needle-pricks from the Devil when he tried to destroy the plant. Red spots on the leaves represent the blood of John the Baptist when he was beheaded.
There is also an old tradition associated with the plant of smoking it over a fire on St John�s Day and leaping over the flames � presumably for more demon-exorcising! Used today in ointment to treat bedsores. An infusion is good for coughs and preventing bedwetting in children. If children had nightmares, a sprig of St John�s Wort and dried Thyme was put inside the mattress to aid restful sleep. It was believed the plant could predict how soon a person would die and if a wedding would take place (not sure how, though!)
St John�s Wort can help cure septic wounds � putting a tincture onto wounds quickly after injury can help prevent lockjaw. A yellow dye is obtained from the plant. When the flowers are put in olive oil and left in the sun to infuse, the oil gradually turns a rich red colour. Folklore tells us this was known as St John�s blood and had healing powers. It is a renowned plant for depression and calming. It is also antiseptic and antiviral. Its antiviral properties have been studied in relation to treating HIV. It has been used to treat urinary problems and worms. Hypericin is the active ingredient in the plant.
Consuming large quantities of the plant renders livestock photo-sensitive. Some research suggests that insects living mainly on St John�s Wort can also become photo-sensitive and will learn to manipulate the leaves to create shade.
Plant in any soil, sun or shade, from late spring Good plant for pondsides or damp areas. Found in the wild in grass, hedges, woods and lime-rich soils.
Can be susceptible to rust or blackspot. Remove affected leaves and destroy them to prevent spread. Trim in spring.
CAUTION � HARMFUL IF EATEN. DO NOT COMBINE WITH OTHER ANTI-DEPRESSANTS
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*