JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs
Garden Voices
Forums
Garden Forums Home Forums Nature Forums
Photo Galleries
Garden Galleries Home Galleries
Ask The Experts Tools & Directories
Organization Directory Events Calendar Hortiplex Glossary Zone Finder Garden Bazaar
       
Return to the Herbalism Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
St. John's Wort

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by Virginia_Fern z6 (My Page) on
Sun, Jul 10, 05 at 19:07

This is the first year I'm growing St. John's Wort, and would like to make a tincture. I fear though that I've waited a bit too long. Some of the flowers on each clump are past their peak and turning brown, though not all. Can I still make a tincture with them?

Also, the whole plant itself is getting rather leggy. Is it okay to trim it back several inches from the ground? Will it grow out and bloom again this summer?

Thanks for your help!

Fern

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: St. John's Wort

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

First off, make positve ID on which St. John's Wort you have. If it is indeed Hypericum perforatum (small leaves, hold up to light, look for tiny black spots) it is not to late to tincutre the top 8-10". I have done it once, have enough to do it again this week and once more, then I will cut them back to about 2 foot tall and hope for a late flush of flower again. A few inches tall would probably be too severe of a trimming this time of year.
Hope this covers the questions, and enjoy! Lynn

o
RE: St. John's Wort

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Thanks Lynn! Mine does have the tiny black spots, and this evening I cut off a bunch of it and am ready to make some tincture.

What all do you use the SJW tincture for?

Fern

o
RE: St. John's Wort

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Very cool. Glad you have the right variety, as it makes superb medicine!
I use tincture when I'm feeling "blue". A week or two of dosing, and i'm not feelin' so much like Eeyore.
The oil makes an excellent medicine to rub on sore backs. Specifiaclly used for sciatica neve pain, and heck, you ever known a gardener that didn't get a sore back? Also used to treat wounds & burns including sunburn. I include SJW oil in my gardeners hand salve.
Enjoy! Lynn

Here is a link that might be useful: Herbalgram on SJW

  
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community
Join | Garden Forums | Home Forums | Exchanges & Trading | Member Pages | Contact Us
© 2006 iVillage Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Policies FAQ | Advertising
  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network