St John ’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) is a efflorescence plant that has been used medicinally for centuries . It fetch its common name from the fact that it bloom around St John ’s Day on June 24th This cheerful yellow - flowered plant has a long history of consumption in treating aflutter disorders , wound , and cauterize But one part of this plant that often gets overlooked are the Chuck Berry . So are St John ’s wort berries comestible ? Let ’s take a penny-pinching look .
An Overview of St John’s Wort
St John ’s wort is aboriginal to Europe , Asia and Northern Africa but has naturalized in many role of the world including North America . It prefers sunny locations and is ordinarily regain along roadsides , hayfield , lea and waste areas .
The plant turn to about 1 - 3 feet tall on branched stems . The leave are opposite stalkless and dotted with minuscule translucent glands . When hold up to get down the leaves take on a perforated appearance , which is how the plant life got its mintage name perforatum .
From June to August , St John ’s wort produce upbeat yellow flowers with 5 petal The flowers have conspicuous mordant dose along the margins of the petals and bloom in bunch at the ends of the stems
In addition to its bright bloom , St John ’s wort can also develop small , crimson berries in later summertime to early fall . The berries are about the size of it of a peppercorn , ranging from 4 - 5 millimetre across . Each berry contains many midget seeds .
Traditional Uses of St John’s Wort
St John ’s wort has a tenacious history of use as a medicative herbaceous plant . Historically , it was take internally as a tea , tincture or infused vegetable oil for a motley of wellness conditions . outwardly , it was use as a poultice or infused oil .
Some traditional uses of St John ’s wort include :
New inquiry has confirmed many of these traditional uses . Today , St John ’s wort remains most popular as a natural remedy for depression and anxiousness . When taken as a add-on , it has been bump to be as effective as antidepressant drug medicine in mild to moderate depressive disorder .
The Question of St John’s Wort Berries
With all the history and wellness benefits skirt this plant , it ’s natural to wonder about the berries it produces . Since many parts of the plant are used medicinally , are the berries also eatable or medicative ?
Unfortunately , most sources suggest against rust St John ’s wort berries . The berry contain variable amounts of hypericin , one of the active compounds in the industrial plant . While hypericin provides many health benefits when deplete in small sum , it can do side personal effects like GI disordered , anxiety , dizziness and mental confusion if too much is absorb at once .
Additionally , the sassy berries may hold strange story of hypericin , making it challenging to consume them safely . Drying or cook the berries does n’t inevitably reduce the hypericin capacity to safe levels for eat .
For these reasons , most herbalists and foraging experts recommend avoiding consumption of the berries . They may be beautiful and freehanded on the plant , but it ’s unspoilt to stick with eating the flowers or using other part of the plant for medicine fashioning .
Safe Ways to Use St John’s Wort
If you add up across St John ’s wort in blossom , there are some safe ways to enjoy this special plant without eating the Charles Edward Berry :
Harvest the yellow-bellied flower to use tonic or dried . They make a endearing addition to teas , tint , elixirs , and infused beloved .
steep the flowers in oil to make a healing ointment for wound , nerve pain , arthritis , and skin conditions like eczema .
Brew a tea from the dry flowering top for liberalisation , mood backing , and to assist slumber .
Make a tint with the saucy flowers for internal use as a nervus tonic and antidepressant drug .
Craft an herbal vinegar using the aerial parts of the plant . It has a beautiful red colour and can be bring to salad dressings .
Add the fresh flowers and leaves to yield or green salads for a daddy of color and sapidity .
So while the Charles Edward Berry of St John ’s wort should be avoid , the works offers many other ways to unlock its health benefits safely . With its long account , approved enjoyment , and colourful flowers , it remains a valuable medicinal plant . Just be sure to carry through the berries for the bird and focalize your harvest on the blossom - topped arm .
Decoding the Active Compounds
Understanding the role of hypericin and hyperforin is primal to demystify St. Johns Wort . These compound , while good in controlled doses for treating clinical depression , can be harmful if take willy-nilly . Hypericin , specifically , can cause an increased sensitivity to sunlight , leading to hide issues . Hyperforin , though less notorious , also plays a function in the plants overall impact on human health .
Keeping Kids Safe
Prevention is straightforward : keep St. Johns Wort out of scope . Use childproof containers or elevate plants to control they re beyond the range of tiny , inquisitive hand . Monitor outdoor dally near garden and develop on the “ look , do nt touch ” policy . If a child does eat on some of the plant , take any pieces out of their mouth , give them urine , and see a doc if any symptoms show up . Remember , its not about being overprotective ; its about smart , proactive parenting .
EDIBLE MOUNTAIN — St. John’s Wort
FAQ
Which part of St. John ’s Wort is eatable ?
Can you use up St. John ’s Wort berry ?
How to harvest St. John ’s Wort Chuck Berry ?
Is St. John ’s Wort safe to take in ?
