St. John's wort has been valued as a medicinal plant for over 2,000 years. The characteristic bright yellow flowers appear at the end of June, which is also the time to collect them. You can find out how to properly harvest and use the medicinal plants of 2019 in this article.
How do you harvest and use St. John's wort correctly?
Harvest St. John's wort by cutting off the long stems when the plant is in full bloom. Use it to make red oil by chopping stems and flowers, dousing with oil and placing in the sun for 6-8 weeks. Dried St. John's wort is suitable as a mood-enhancing tea.
Determine St. John's Wort
If you want to use wild specimens as medicinal herbs, it is important to identify them beyond doubt:
- The flower: St. John's wort has five petals that look like small tufts of hair. If you rub it between your fingers, red juice will come out.
- The leaves: These are one to three centimeters large and oval. If you hold this up to the light, you can see isolated light and dark, dot-like areas.
- The berries: These appear in August. They are initially red and later black.
Collecting St. John's Wort
Whether wild or growing in the garden: As soon as real St. John's wort is in full bloom, it can be harvested. Cut the long stems about a hand's width above the ground.
The preservation of the medicinal plant
St. John's wort can be dried or preserved in oil. Before further processing, the medicinal herb is removed from coarse dirt, but not washed, as water removes valuable aromas from the herb.
The production of red oil
- Roughly chop the stems with the flowers.
- Pour into a glass jar and crush with a mortar.
- Pour olive oil or sunflower oil over it, preferably organic.
- Close and place in the sun for six to eight weeks.
Once the oil has turned a bright red color, strain and pour into glass bottles. The red oil has a shelf life of about a year.
Drying St. John's Wort
Tie the branches into loose bundles and hang them in an airy place.
How does St. John's wort work?
Red oil is a proven home remedy that accelerates wound healing thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a soothing effect on minor burns, sprains and bruises.
You can take advantage of the mood-enhancing effect of the medicinal plant in the form of an infusion. Pour 150 milliliters of water over two teaspoons of St. John's wort and let the tea steep for ten minutes. Drink one or two cups of this morning and evening.
Tip
Please note that St. John's wort can weaken the effects of some medicines. This applies, among other things, to anticoagulants and the birth control pill. If you take medication regularly, you should definitely discuss the internal use of St. John's wort with your doctor.
