Saint John's Wort: Antidepressant and So Much More

Description

A few years back, Saint John’s wort made its way into the modern mind as a powerful herbal, all natural antidepressant. Science backs this ancient use and more for our sunny, weedy friend. Saint John’s Wort’s healing extends well beyond stress, anxiety, and depression. Herbalists across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand have used the beautiful red oil made from Saint John’s wort to ease sore muscles, injury to joints and tendons, to help repair nerve damage. Tinctures, essential oils, and flower essences of Saint John’s Wort have helped ease many conditions internally and externally ranging from chasing off viruses and bacterial infections to warding off nightmares, easing headaches, and reducing bed wetting in children and adults alike.

In this journey through the herbalist’s garden, we’ll explore the science behind Saint John’s wort’s healing actions, take a look at the conditions most often treated with Saint John’s wort, and learn how to use those healing qualities to help ourselves, our families, and our pets. We’ll see how Saint John’s wort can grace our household, learn how to grow it, and take a look at how our ancestors made use of this magical herb. We’ll cover cautions and try a few new recipes for Saint John’s Wort as well. Join us for a fun and informative journey through the healing and practical uses for Saint John’s Wort in this seventh edition of The Practical Herbalist’s Herbal Folio series.