St John’s Wort
Hypericum | Beathnua
Another of the seven Irish herbs that nothing natural or supernatural could injure, St John’s wort is easily identified by its bright yellow flowers on a slightly woody stem. When the leaves are held up to the light they appear to be full of tiny holes. These are actually oil glands that produce the much-loved and very therapeutic red healing sap.
St John’s wort is a common enough wildflower in Ireland. It has bright yellow, five- petalled flowers about 2cm across. The variety with the medicinal qualities we are after is called Hypericum perforatum and is easily identified as such by holding the leaves up to the light. They look like they have tiny holes in them, pin-pricked by the fairies maybe, but these holes are actually filled with oil. St John’s wort is very easy to grow at home.
Uses
In folk medicine in Ireland, St John’s wort is predominantly known for its astringency and ability to stop bleeding from scratches and cuts. This astringency also makes it a great cure for diarrhoea and dysentery.
In modern times it has become well known as a mild anti-depressant. It must work, because in Ireland it got banned from over-the-counter sales in the year 2000 and is only available on prescription. An article in The Irish Times at the time estimated that 70,000 Irish people a year were using St John’s wort, which is kind of mind-boggling for a wild native Irish plant.
It is excellent for internal consumption as a tea using the dried flowers and also as a tincture. St John’s wort is also very well regarded as a treatment for bites, sunburn, cuts and grazes, and is great for sore muscles and nerve pain.