Meteria Medica: The Power of Plants as Medecine
Instructor: Feather Jones

Common Names: Klamath Weed, St Joanswort, Witches Herb, St Johnwort

Description: Prennial that bears erect branches stems 1 to 3 feet tall, woody at base; opposite leaf has perforations like tiny punctures (oil glands) when held up to the light; yellow five petaled star shaped flowers and red buds; a citrusy scent; two raised lines down the stems (appearing somewhat flat); this species frequents sunny slopes and dry grasslands; is considered a naturalized nuisance.

Constituents: A red pigment flavonoids glycoside – hypericin (isolated 1942 and clinically used as anti-depressant in emotionally disturbed people); ruten and hesperin (bioflavonoids – vitamin P); tannins (16% in flowers); catechol; essential oil and resin; pectin; choline; quercetin.

Properties: Anti-depressant; anti-inflammatory; sedative analgesic and anti-spasmodic; expectorant; diuretic; anti-septic; astringent; nervine; relaxant; vulnerary.

Medicinal Actions: An excellent ointment for any skin inflammations (as oil – use olive or sesame oil and soak flowers for one month), can be used on wounds, bruises, burns, hemorrhoids, acne, rhematic pain, sciatica, vericose veins, contusions, sprains, swellings and neuralgia. With all wounds, it gives a marked pain reliving effect and stimulates the new formation of damaged tissues. It strenghtens varicosities and capilarry integrity for fluid transport, strengthens the elasticity of arteries and veins (may need to decongest the liver and thin the blood); the uterus can become boggy from childbirth with varicosities; diabetics also get varicosities (hot and cold foot baths); a good liniment herb for M.S. (30 drops 3xday); pulls obstructions out of the muscles and is good for nerve damage and inflammations; neurological damage along the spinal cord (liniment or oil). Traditionally used for bedwetting due to psychological causes, by toning the nervous system and treats the accompanying depression with a stimulating influence upon the renal nerves; also used for hypofunctions. Appears to shoe anti-retroviral activity giving no serious side effects, being empirically researced by AIDS patients; specifically inhibits anarobic blycolysis in sections of brain tumors. Functions in stress, fear, anxiety, it relaxes and is a mild respitory depressant and has been recommended in mild traumatic shocl; works best on strong excess type people and executive types; may work better on men than women with emotional depression through will relieve anxiety with calming effects in menopause stress. Good for peope who don’t like tranquilizers as a mood elevator (an MAO inhibitor). Regulates the size of blood vessels as needed Good fr menses cramps with excess or scanty flow and hemorrhaging. A perfect remedy for the blues, sadness, irritability, insomnia and the "general grouchies". Tinctures for gum infections, gingivitis, teething and will lower blood pressure.

History: The Doctrine of Signatures designates that the plant’s visual characteristics can indicate which part of the body it will effect and indicates the dots are thought to look like wounds used by Knights of St. John in Jerusalem to heal crusaders; name derived from Greek "over an apparition" from belief tha the herb’s aroma was to obnoxious to evil spirits that a whiff of it would cause them to fly.

Toxicity: Excess use can provoke phtodermatitis causing skin allergies in hypersensitive people (blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin) when exposed to prolonged sunlight. FDA delclared it "unsafe" based on reported toxicity to cattle; empirical observation reports it as safe and effective for humans.