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June 26, 2007 : Hypericum perforatum
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Keywords: Hypericaceae | Hypericum perforatum L. | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Common St. John's wort is easily recognized, with the plant's distinguishing characteristics including five yellow petals (often ringed with black dots), opposite leaf arrangement and — the reason for the epithet perforatum — leaves that are pellucid. Held up to the light, the leaves appear perforated, though the “holes” are actually transluscent oil glands.
Some of what was written yesterday about foxglove could be applied to common St. John's wort: a species native to Eurasia that has been widely introduced elsewhere, including North America, South America, Australia and South Africa; a species fatal to livestock; and a medicinal use for humans.
Hypericum perforatum has been so successful upon introduction into new areas that it is considered a high-risk invasive plant in some jurisdictions. In typical invasive fashion, it can form dense stands (scroll down to see related photos) and crowd out native plants. This quality combined with the fact that it is poisonous to livestock (it can induce mania and depression, act as an abortifacient, cause dermatitis and lead to death) helped it to develop a reputation as a hated weed.
That reputation has been somewhat softened in recent years with the confirmation of its efficacy as an antidepressant in humans. Wikipedia and the Plants for a Future database provide good summaries of current and historical medicinal use in humans.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at June 26, 2007 6:28 AM
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Posted by: Aseneta at October 6, 2007 3:32 PM
they are so profetional Ill put them in my thesis
thanx a lot
Posted by: lina at May 24, 2009 1:29 PM
In Sweden this is used to make a good digestive schnaps called "Hirkum pirkum"
The recepie as follows: Pick flowers and buds. Put them in a small jar and add vodka so that it covers the flowers. Let it stand for about a week. Turn the jar daily
Strain the flowers in a coffeefilter and put the liquid in a bottle. It is STRONG! To drink take a small amount and add more vodka for a schnaps
The extract will improve with age but the clear red colour will go more brownish in time
This is just one way of using berries and herbs to make good tasting schnaps. Just make sure the ingredient you use is edible and not poisonous. To much drink can impair your health but a little schnaps can improve your health
Posted by: Irma at June 26, 2009 3:22 AM
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I love this plant! It is such a medicine!
When flowers are kept in olive oil for 30 to 40 days exposed to sun, the oil turns red, and it is the best medicine for burns, wounds (taking out pass from infected wounds, and helping the wound to heal incredably faster). It can also be used for internal use. It helps with gastric. It can be taken as a tea (dry flowers boiled in hot water), or one spoon of it daily would do the job. It cures mild depressions, soothes nervous system, helps with hypertension.
Thank you for this beautiful photograph of my favourite plant!