St. John’s Wort – Hypericum perforatum

Happy St. Jean Baptiste Day!

St. John’s Wort/ Hypericum perforatum   The flower of Light.

The name Hypericum comes from the Greek word “huper eikon” meaning “over an apparition”.  It was believed at one time to protect against evil spirits.  With the onset of Christianity, St. John’s Wort was dedicated to St. John the Baptist and Midsummer’s Day became St. John’s Day.  The red pigment that comes from the flowers represented the blood of St. John the Baptist.

It is the flowers of this plant that are used in preparations. Pick at high summer in flower.  I wear gloves when harvesting this plant.

St. John’s Wort has many actions, including expectorant (loosening and removal of phlegm from the respitory tract), analgesic (relieves pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflamation), sedative (soothing and calming) and a restorative tonic for the nervous system.

St. John’s Wort is one of the ingredients in Two Herbal Mamas Healing Salve.  I carry this with me everywhere I go.  I use this for anything that hurts, an irritation, bites, burns, sore bellies, hang nails, the list could go on and on….

Thank you Sir John for all your help!!!

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