I first got to know St. John’s Wort as a supplement for mild depression, while taking classes at Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) in Toronto. I came across the actual plant during my stay at Innisfree farm in Courtenay. It was a beautiful sunny day in July and the flowers were shining bright yellow as if they were filled with the sun’s energy. No wonder they are anti-depressant.

Since then, I leaned that St. John’s Wort blooms around summer solstice, and flowers, flower buds and top leaves are valuable medicine. Among many benefits, they help nervous system, not only help depression but also reduce pain and inflammation. They can be infused in oil and applied topically to heal bruise, sprains and swellings.

Just a few days before summer solstice this year, I found them in our garden. Seems like they knew we needed them. I harvested and infused them in oil. I am supposed to keep it in a sunny place for one month and drain. This is my first time to make St. John’s Wort oil, and I am sure we will have many opportunities to test the effectivity.

(Ref. “Wild Remedies” by Rosalee de la Foret & Emily Han)