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The therapeutic benefits of HypericumKnown in Ireland as the armpit package of Columba Michael Bate has been head gardener at the organic herb gardens of Weleda UK Ltd, which manufactures natural remedies and bodycare products, for over 20 years. He also manages production of the plant tinctures. Here he examines the therapeutic benefits of hypericum. Hypericum perforatum, known as St John’s Wort, was one of the most renowned plants in Europe for its magical properties. This common wayside perennial, growing wherever it's sunny and the soil is well–drained, even on railway lines, was highly prized as a medicine in the Middle Ages but then forgotten about for several centuries before being rediscovered for its ability to treat nerves and depression. The name Hypericum comes from the Greek 'huper' and 'eikon' meaning 'over an apparition' – this refers to the belief that it could ward off evil spirits. It was one of the chief herbs of John the Baptist, along with Mugwort, Greater Plantain, Corn Marigold, Dane Elder, Yarrow, Ivy, Vervain and Orpine. Christ described John as 'a burning and shining light' and Hypericum with its vivid yellow flowers brings light and joy, while the blood red juice from the plant is a reminder of John’s beheading. The 24th of June is the anniversary of St John's death, but his vigil occurs on the 23rd, when fires were lit in the evening. The herbs of St John, especially Hypericum, would be picked earlier, before sunrise, and were then passed over the smoke to make them more potent. Afterwards, they were hung up over the doorways of homes, stables and outbuildings to protect against the entry of demons and to ensure good fortune.
Oil of Hypericum is made by steeping the flowers in olive or sesame oil and leaving it to stand in the sun to turn to a wonderful fluorescent red colour. This red is due to the hypericin content which is a powerful anti–depressant, but also has considerable anti–viral properties – it is even being researched for potential use in treating HIV and AIDS. St John's Wort is called 'perforate' because the flowers and especially the leaves are covered in black dots that are oil glands. When held up to the light this makes the leaves appear full of holes, thus, according to the Doctrine of Signatures, indicating the plant's use as a salve for deep wounds, especially those caused by spears and arrows. It is indeed antiseptic, and today is often mixed with Calendula, another wound salve, to make ointments and lotions for painful cuts and grazes. Here, the flowering herb is used. To make the homeopathic remedy Hypericum, the whole fresh plant is needed including the root. This can be used for any trauma or injury to areas with a rich nerve supply like the spine, fingers or toes, and for shooting pains or tearing pains, or where the patient is sensitive to touch and pressure. It is prescribed for a variety of painful conditions from neuralgia to toothache, and is commonly used to treat puncture wounds from nasty splinters, nails or bites. When we look at the plant very closely we can see that the red colour, at the top of the root and where it emerges into the light at the base of the stem, carries on tingeing the stems right up to the flowers. If we think of a plant's root as corresponding to the head and nerve–sense system of the human being, and then also notice how many of Hypericum's parts diverge from the usual order and symmetry we find in nature [the side–shoots all off–centre, the petals with one part greater than the other, the stamens fused together in different shapes] then we can see how the plant could be indicating to us its use for nerves and depression. The seeds of Hypericum will remain dormant in the ground until they are exposed to light. This sunny plant has such a strong affinity for the light that when it is eaten by white–skinned animals they can become sensitive to any exposure to sunlight. Thus, brown or black cows can eat it but not white ones, and it is one of the few plants shunned by rabbits – a useful tip for your garden if you live near open fields.
Weleda [UK] Ltd has manufactured natural remedies and bodycare products since 1925. Advice on natural remedies can be obtained from Weleda’s pharmacy. Weleda [UK] Ltd, Heanor Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 8DR. Tel: 0115 9448200. Email: info@weleda.co.uk Visit website: www.weleda.co.uk. • Always seek advice from your medical healthcare professional.
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In Ireland Hypericum was particularly associated with St Columba, who taught the use of the plant and always carried it with him. One of the names for it was 'armpit package of Columba'. To protect the person from enchantment and the evil eye, it was believed that the plant had its greatest effect only if you came across it by accident and then wore under the left armpit.
