A few days ago on another website, I was asked the following question:

"Hey, Evo...

As you know, when it is warmer, I grow my own herbs... But here's my question: St. John's Wort. What are the possibilities with this plant? I got some of this from a friend of mine who knows I'm into herbs, but I know you can't cook with this. I can't find a lot about SJW in any of my book apart from what I know -- that it is a "cure" or "good for relieving" depression...but that's about it.

So what can I really do with St. John's Wort?

-Tee"

I'm so glad you asked! St. John's Wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is a great name to drop, as it seems nearly everyone has heard of this botanical.

True to the legends, St. John's Wort is specifically indicated in mild to moderate depression. Let me repeat the italicized part, as it seems to get dropped in most conversations. Mild to moderate depression sufferers tend to respond well to H. perforatum. Those suffering from severe depression however will not reap any benefits from this plant as a form of treatment.

(Some words of caution. Don't take this if you're on MAO inhibitors or you're pregnant.)

St. John's Wort is also an incredibly powerful anti-viral remedy, which works quite nicely when combined with Mullein, Garlic and Olive Oil as a treatment for ear infections for kids of all ages. I keep a bottle of "ear oil" around the house and treat myself at the first sign of colds.

Combined with Peppermint Oil it make a nice post-surgery ointment to relieve pain.

A nifty little plant. Kinda tricky to harvest and process properly, as the flavanoid content of the plant drops quickly after it comes into flower.

One more thing about the anti-depressive action... it doesn't happen overnight. While the herb works well, it's not a magic pill by any means. Four weeks is the minimum to affect any change in mild to moderate depression cases. And obviously, see your doctor if you haven't had a formal diagnosis. Then go see a trained and qualified herbalist!