Hypericum perforatum
St. John’s Wort is one of my favorite herbs to work with – and obviously I want to take you along for the ride of the tincture, I am preparing these days. But before I do that, let me tell you a bit about this yellow dressed plant friend.
St. John’s Wort is an herb with quite the history in magickal practices. It is often used for protection, healing, and spiritual cleansing.
Traditionally, St. John’s Wort was used to ward off negative energies, evil spirits, and psychic attacks. And it will not surprice that one of it’s more medical benefits is connected to elavating the mood and mental health. In fact, it has been shown that St. John’s Wort actually create some of the same results as some antidepressants, but without the usual risks.
And now it’s time for the disclaimer:
It’s important to remember that while herbs have a reputation of being no-risk treatments, this is not the actual reality. Herbs can indeed have side-effects and be dangerous to consume, if you don’t know what you are working with.
Take St. Johns Wort for instance; while it may not have some of the side-effects of the usual antidepressants, it can still cause an overdose of serotonin, especially if you are taking antidepressants while also using St. John’s Wort.
As always – if in doubt, contact your health care provider. This person knows your medical history and will be able to guide you in terms of potential overdoses and compatibility with already prescribed medication.
Read more about St. John’s Wort here.
Considering the medical benefits, it may be no wonder that St. John’s Wort is linked to the sun and light, making it a symbol of vitality, positivity, and happiness.
When I use it in rituals, I very much feel the connection to the Sun and the Fire element, but I have always felt this herb had more to offer than the Fire element.
It holds a gentleness, while also being a deeply transformational energy.
Officially it is linked to Uranus and Aquarius energies, but neither are directly connected to the gentleness. And this is your reminder to listen to your own intuition as you work ritually with herbs. Because in the theory there is nothing to indicate using St. John’s Wort for more gentle rituals. And yet, as I have taken on rituals with a more gentle approach, St. John’s Wort has been calling out to collaborate and has been a great friend and healer in such works.
I just prepared a new tincture batch of St. John’s Wort and as always, I was amazed by the beauty of it. Very quickly after adding the alcohol, the red pigment of St. John’s Wort spreads into the liquid. And I always feel like this is the Fire lingering, waiting and accumulating, for the future use.
Don’t overthink it; pour some dried St John’s Wort into a clean jar, cover it with a neutral alcohol 40-60% and let it build for 4-6 weeks. Give it a good shake every other day and store it cool and dark and that is pretty much it. Then separate herb from liquid and store the liquid in either a dark bottle or a dark cupboard.
I use my tincture particularly in my morning coffee, about 1-2 teaspoons, depending on the size of the cup.
If you are using 60% alcohol, and plan on taking the drops directly, I will advise thinning the tincture with destilled water – otherwise the liquid can be quite a sharp experience.
I highly recommend working with St Johns Wort, it has proven to be a loyal ally in all the works, I have used it for. And maybe, when you have it with you, dried or fresh, it will tell you how you should work with it.
Have a blessed journey with the plants and herbs.
Our Mother Earth is truely magnificent, isn’t she?
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