The History of St John’s wort
St Johns wort has a fascinating history dating all the way back to the Crusades. Many ideas as to the naming of the plant lie in different folkelore. The latin name of the plant is hypericum which is believed to stem from the Greek name Hypericon.
It was also a plant that anciently was used as a protection against evil spirits by being hung in doorways during the middle ages to ward off witchcraft and devils. Crushing the buds of this plant between the fingers stains them a blood red colour and due also to the fact that it flowers in mid June, when it is St John the Baptist’s day hasalso led to this particular theory for the name of this medicinal plant. In addition the plant has translucent dots on the leaves which were sometimes thought to represent the wounds suffered by the Knights of St John during the Christian Crusades.
Regardless of the origins for the plants name it is impossible to get away from the healing qualities for which it is renown.
There are 160 species of hypericum which are indigenous to Britain and France. The flowers are yellow with small black dots along the edges. These black dots contain the hypericin, that is responsible for the dark red colour of the macerated oil and in the leaves are oil glands that contain the essential oil.
How the Oil is Produced
The buds and flowers of the oil are steeped in virgin olive oil in full sun for many days this infuses the olive oil with many antiviral and other molecular properties.
One of the most famous uses for St Johns wort oil is in dealing with the nervous system for anxiety and depression however it is also very good for gastric problems. When it comes to topical applications its properties are particularly useful to wounds where there is nerve tissue damage and any inflamed nervous conditions e.g. neuralgia. It is also extremely beneficial on burns and inflammation in general. So once again this oil can be used to help you heal yourtennis elbow.
A Word of Caution
Use this oil with some caution as excessive use may cause skin allergy which may be made worse by exposure to the sun in some sensitive individuals.