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Saint
John’s Wort
(Hypericum perforatum)
klamath weed, goat weed
 Description:
A shrubby perennial plant. The woody, branched root
produces many round stems which put out runners from the
base. The leaves are opposite, oblong to linear, covered
with transparent oil glands, giving the appearance of
holes. The bright yellow flowers are in flat-topped cymes,
the petals are dotted with black along the margins. The
fruit is a 3-celled capsule. The plant has a turpentine-like
odor. Found in the eastern U.S., along the Pacific Coast
and many parts of the world in dry, gravelly soils, fields
and sunny places.
Edible,
Medicinal: The leaves are used in salads. It is a
antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, expectorant, sedative,and
vulnerary. The calming properties of the herb have been
useful in treating bedwetting, insomnia, to calms nerves,
treats depression, menstrual difficulties, and uterine
cramping. A tea made
from the flowers is used for, headache, insomnia, jaundice.
Steep 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 1/2 cup
water for 5 minutes, covered. Take warm, 1/2 cup before
breakfast and 1/2 cup before going to bed. The oil extract
is a good external application for burns, wounds, sores,
bruises. CAUTION: Its use may make the skin sensitive
to light.
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