Whether consumed in capsule, tablet, tea, tincture, or balm, St. John’s Wort is no insignificant gift from nature’s abundance. With ancient roots and modern support, this nigh miraculous ingredient exists in every one of the Supersalve products.
The History of St John’s Wort
Esteemed medicine men of the past, such as Dioscorides, Galen, Hippocrates, and Pliny advocated for St. John’s wort in cases of intestinal worms, menstrual disorders, and topically, for snake bites and wound healing. Its red berries leeched into any oils they were placed in, turning it red after about three weeks. In the middle ages, this was thought to mean it possessed magical powers.
Today we understand how natural colour leeching is. But the old belief is carried forward in its botanical name, Hypericum, which has its origins in the Greek word, hyperikon. ‘hyper’, meaning over, and ‘eikon’ meaning apparition, referencing the plant’s so-called ability to ward off evil spirits.
Calling it 'St. John' anything, is a bit of a 'nom de plume' actually. It apparently refers to harvesting the plant on Saint John’s Day (June 24th). Other legends hold that the plant releases its blood-red oils on August 29th, the so-called day of John the Baptists’ beheading. Well, legend is a beast fraught with much hearsay and superstition.
What is the 'Wort' in St John's Wort?
The name St John’s Wort, in case you’ve begun to wonder, is derived from a combination of two old English words; ‘wyrt’ and ‘wod’. ‘Wyrt’ references the liquid expunged from a plant, herb, or root and ‘wod’ describes a weed or herb.
Harvesting these properties from the plant requires extracting the precious liquid yield after smashing or mashing the plant of origin. ‘Wort’ was added as the suffix for plants yielding properties useful to humans. There are many in this category, such as bladderwort, bloodwort (aka bloodroot), feverwort, liverwort, lousewort, lungwort, nipplewort, pilewort, pipewort, rupturewort, spiderwort, spleenwort, and our case in point, St. John's wort.
These days the word ‘weed’ has many and varied meanings, but where they refer to plants growing where they ought not or something considered harmful, or just the for want of a better name, their common English names use it as a suffix. Here are a few examples; bindweed, carpetweed, fireweed, hawkweed, horseweed, knotweed, milkweed, ragweed, pigweed, smartweed, and sneezeweed.
Healing Wonders of St John’s Wort
With both internal and external benefits, we will explore the latter seeing that we are referring to its place in the Supersalve organic range of balms, creams, and oils. In a topical formulation, St John’s wort will work its apothecary charms to heal wounds, a host of skin conditions, minor burns, and nerve pain. Clinically significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions are now acknowledged regarding this wonder plant and its properties.
Feel confident in applying any and all creams, balms, and oils in the Supersalve range and let their combination of potent healing ingredients get to work for you.
Ingredients: Calendula, Camphor, Clove, Comfrey, Eucalyptus, Grapeseed Oil, Honey, Rosemary, St John’s Wort all nestled a Shae Butter base.
NB: All SUPERSALVE products are completely free from petrochemicals, parabens and phthalates, and are safe for the whole family, from babies to the elderly and everything in between!