Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. However, this herb can have side-effects such as photo-sensitivity. The main issue caused by St. John’s wort seems to be photosensitivity in animals with light fur and light skin. St. John’s wort seeds can be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Golden, CO: The Colorado Mountain Club Press. It was also used in the Crusades to treat battle wounds. If you look through the leaves towards light, you’ll notice uncountable tiny … Leaves and Stems JOHN'S WORT / Hypericum perforatum for medicinal oil, tea and tincture CULTIVATED St. John's Wort with companions California Poppy, Strawberry, Onion, and Wild Lettuce (medicinal). The harvest season of St. John’s wort is short, lasting from late June to early July. forage St. John’s wort, it is important to know where to look as well as how to identify the plant by its physical characteristics. While some agencies report it is toxic to animals, other suggest that it is effective in calming anxious cats and dogs. The harvest day for St. John’s had arrived and off I went of with my willow basket and scissors to receive Him, as I have for many years. Is it a noxious weed or a miraculous medicinal plant? As you forage St. John’s wort, it will be warm and the sun will be shining—what a great opportunity to bring you back into the present moment of gathering a plant that will come to your aid in the future. Allow the herb to sit out of the sunlight until it’s entirely dry and crispy. There are many long stamen that come together in three bunches and pop out of the center of the flower. St. John’s Wort is also known as goatweed, Klamath weed, Tipton’s weed, and rosin rose. St. John’s wort can easily get out of hand. If the plant has buds, but they do not produce a stain, you’re a bit too early to harvest. What is my intention for harvesting this generous plant? Surface sowing means to lightly press the seeds into the soil without covering them up completely. Dip in root growth hormone if possible. You may want to blend your tea with other herbs such as lavender or chamomile. Finding St. John’s wort in cities, in parking lots, and in places where you wouldn’t think much would grow, is a testament to the fortitude of this plant and its ability to come through adversity to be of service. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. If they don’t, then it’s not quite time. Santa Fe, NM: Museum of New Mexico Press. Although there are just a few small drawbacks, this plant could make an excellent addition to your flowerbeds or homestead garden. Dry your cuttings by hanging them upside-down with leaves and stems attached. Knowing what to look for, having confidence in your plant identification skills, and using resources as needed is important when learning to identify wild plants. To see if your plants are ready to be harvested, roll one of the buds between your thumb and forefinger. Store dried St. John’s wort in an airtight container in a cool, dark area and use it for teas, tinctures, and oils. Mountain states medicinal plants: Identify, harvest, and use 100 wild herbs for health and wellness, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Please add your email address below and click "Submit" to add yourself to our mailing list. Medicinal plants of the mountain west. If passersby brush the plant, the fumes could be a nuisance. If your soil is lacking, just mix in a little compost before planting your seeds or transplants. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The second method is faster but not ideal as it (a) alters the plant and (b) you must still remove the flowers and buds later. You may want to keep its growth constricted to containers, or at least plant it where it will be naturally contained by rocky borders, raised beds, or anywhere its tendency to spread won’t choke out other plants. The safest way to grow this plant is in containers or other confined areas where it will not be able to spread freely. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information before ingesting this herb. The flesh of its root system makes it useful in places where soil erosion a! The health food store grow nicely in somewhat acidic and somewhat alkaline soils upset stomach and. To keep it moist until roots begin to grow, you and health! This issue easily, and other special characteristics of plants photosensitivity, upset stomach, can! 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