xfrozenshadowx

ST. JOHN'S WORT: Healing:

Uses: Herbalists have long employed an ointment made from St. John's
Wort as an astringent for bruises, skin irritations, insect bites, and
other wounds.
American Indians used a tea brewed from the plant for tuberculosis and
other respiratory ailments. Plant extracts have exhibited
anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory animals, and in test tube
experiments extracts have been active against the bacterium that causes
tuberculosis.
the herb is said to soothe the digestive system. in particular, its
ingredients were thought to relieve ulcers and gastritis, and the herb
was called on as a folk medicine for diarrhea and nausea. bruises and
hemorrhoids are said to respond to it. It has served as a sedative ,
painkiller, and analgesic. the blossoms have been added to week oil(a
refined olive oil used medicinally) for a soothing dressing for cuts(as
stated above). Herbalists credit it with increasing and inducing a sense
of well-being. It has even been said to help repair nerve tissue after
trauma.

Toxicity:
There is also a dangerous side to St. John's Wort , and until more is
learned about this side, the plant and its oil should be used with
caution, if at all. In Australia it is a rampant weed, it has killed
pale- pigmented sheep and goats by inducing photosensitivity. if an
animal or a light-skinned human eats the plant, exposure to direct
sunlight may cause dermatitis, inflammation of mucous membranes, and
more toxic reactions. Drinking the flower tea may cause skin burns.

MAGICKAL USES:
Worn St. John's Wort wards off fevers and colds, makes soldiers
invincible, and attracts love. If it is gathered on Mid-summer or on a
Friday and worn it will keep mental illness at bay and will also cure
melancholy.
When placed in a jar and hung by a window, St John's wort protects
against thunderbolts, fire, and evil spirits. Both flowers and leaves
are used for this purpose. It is also dried over the mid-summer fires
and hung near the window to keep ghosts, necromancers, and other evil
doers from the house, and is burned to banish spirits and demons.
Any part of the herb placed beneath the pillow allows unmarried women
to dream of their future husbands. Use in rituals or carry to detect
other magicians; at one time it was held to the mouth of accused witches
to attempt to force them to confess.

FOLK NAMES;
Amber, Fuga Daemonum( Latin: Scare-Devil), Goat Weed, Herba John,
john's Wort, Klamath Weed, Sol Terrestis, tipton Weed.
GENDER- Masculine
PLANET- sun
ELEMENT- fire
DIETY-Baldur
POWERS-Health, protection, Strength, Love divination, Happiness

OTHER USES-Because of its antibiotic properties, the herb is now being
investigated for use as a food preservative.

DYE- yellows and reds can be obtained from the flowering tops and stems
of St. John's Wort, depending on the mordant used.

ORNAMENTAL- many hypericums are more suited to the perrenial bed, but St
John's Wort is lees sensitive to frost, and it does add cheer in the
middle of the summer when little else blooms.

CULTIVATION- the herb grows wild. To transfer it to an herb garden or
perenial bed, dig it intact. It may also be started from seed, cuttings,
or division done in the fall. Even though it is a hardy perenial, St.
John's Wort is short-lived.
Despite the fact it grows from runners, it is seldom invasive and can
be controlled by pulling. Plants are comercially available and are often
used in native gardens.
Habitat: meadows, dry pastures, and roadsides.
Range; Native to Europe, it is naturalized in Quebec and Ontario and in
the eastern half of the United States, the Pacific Northwest south to
northern California, and central Nevada.
Indentification: An erect perenial herb that grows up to 32 inches tall
and has a somewhat woody base. Oblong leaves grow in opposite pairs. The
flowers (June- September) have 5 yellow petals, which often have black
dots at the margins.
Harvesting and Storage: For medicinal use, the leaves are either dried
and stored in a dark place or pressed for the oil. the oil is added to
olive or other vegetable oils, but it turns red with age. kept in a dark
container, the oil will keep for two years. The oil content of the
plants is highest in the morning.


Taken from the books "Magick and Medicine of Plants" by Readers Digest
"Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs" by
Scott Cunningham
"Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs"
by Rodale Press

From: nixie96