Posted by IsoM on April 14, 2002, at 1:18:56
In reply to St Johns Wort Question - Anybody, posted by oona on April 13, 2002, at 22:37:13
Oona, I have tried St. John's wort but even at high concentrations, didn't notice anything, but I had been interested in growing it myself if it did work.
First, the ornamental variety of St. John's wort that people grow in their garden as a small flowering shrub is NOT the same variety that's used to treat depression. I'm not sure where you live, but St. John's wort grows wild around here, but many people have no idea that the ornamental small shrubby plant they grow is St. John's too. The cultivated variety has large flowers & larger, leathery leaves. The wild looks weedy, with small yellow flowers & soft small leaves on an erect plant 2'-3' high.
To get the highest potency in the wild variety, they need LOTS of sun & no fertilizer. Fetilized, lush plants who low potency. Pick the growing tips of the flowering ends - buds, flowers & small leaves (they all contain hypercium) in the early morning before the sun gets hot.
It's not necessary to make a tincture immediately. Dry the pickings everyday till crumbly & then to keep potency up, I'd store the dried herb in bottles & keep them in the freezer, just taking out what you need each day. Good luck - I hope it works for you.
poster:IsoM
thread:102603
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/103014.html