Story of Day :
Contents
The St.
John’s Wort Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
Gardening is one of the most enjoyable activities that people do to relax and unwind after a long day at work.
It is no surprise that many individuals who are fond of gardening prefer to plant medicinal herbs in their gardens, such as St.
John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
This herb has been known for its calming effects on the mind, as well as its healing properties.
What is St.
John’s Wort?
St.
John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe but has since been naturalized worldwide due to its medicinal properties.
It gets its name from the fact that it blooms around June 24th, which marks St.
John’s Day in many parts of the world.
This herb has long been used for traditional medicine purposes and is commonly taken internally for depression, anxiety, insomnia, nerve pain, menopausal symptoms and other ailments.
Care Tips for Growing St.John’s Wort
- Sunlight: Ensure that your garden space provides enough sunlight exposure because this herb requires partial shade or full sun exposure; hence, it should be placed in an area with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil: The soil pH level should range between 5-8; thus soil test kits will help determine if fertilizer or compost needs to be added during planting season.
- Irrigation: Water regularly; maintain moist but not waterlogged soil conditions throughout growing season because this herb grows best in well-drained soils with moderate watering needs especially during hot weather spells
- Pruning: Regular trimming is necessary to maintain its compact shape and promote new growth.
It is essential to prune at least twice every growing season.
The first pruning should be conducted in early spring while the second one should be done during late summer.
- Fertilization: To achieve healthy plant growth, organic fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus should be added before planting or during the growing season.
The Benefits of St.John’s Wort
The benefits of St.
John’s Wort cannot be overstated; it has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various conditions due to its numerous medicinal properties.
Some of the benefits include:
- Mental Health: Studies have shown that this herb can alleviate symptoms from mild to moderate depression, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and other mental disorders.
- Pain Relief: Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective treatment option for pain relief such as nerve pain, bruises or sprains.
- Skin Conditions: When applied topically on skin wounds or burns, it can help stimulate healing thereby reducing inflammation and preventing infection because of its antimicrobial properties.
The Risks Associated with St.John’s Wort
Although there are several benefits associated with this herb, there are also some potential risks that you need to consider when using it such as;
- Allergies: If you’re allergic to other plants within the Hypericum family – which includes around 500 species – then you’re at risk of having an allergic reaction if exposed to this plant form.
Sensitivity to sunlight: St.John’s Wort can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight, causing rashes or sunburn when exposed to excessive amounts of the sun.
- Side effects: Taking large doses of this herb can cause side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues or headaches.
In conclusion
If you are planning on starting a garden and want to incorporate medicinal herbs into your gardening experience, consider adding St.John’s Wort.
The plant is easy to care for and provides numerous benefits that will improve your overall health and wellbeing.
Remember to take note of the potential risks associated with using it; always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any herbal regimen for medical purposes.
The beauty of gardening is that it brings happiness through the process from planting all the way to harvesting.
So let’s enjoy growing our own gardens!
