Saint Johns WortHypericum Perforatum |
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Before jumping into the amazing quality of the Saint Johns wort plant, please know that I am starting to accept appointment requests both in North Charleston and downtown at Lotus! And, if you are anything like me, the holiday season tends to be a bit busy, and yet I know we all need the self care during this time too, so prioritize YOU and reach out if you want to get on the schedule before christmas! You can always call or text 843.284.3235 if you prefer that to booking online. For my first week back here is what is still available before the week of December 13th. Monday December 6th, North Charleston: 10am 12pm |
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Tuesday December 7th, Lotus Healing Center Downtown: 8am 10am 12pm |
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Ok, and now for Saint John's Wort. Hypericum perforatum is the latin botanical name for the plant most know as Saint John's Wort, as in John the Baptist, or Saint Joan's Wort, as in Joan of Arc. Pictured above, this plant is associated with the summer solstice, it blooms in the heat, in full sun, often in disturbed soils, from June through August in most places. Although considered a weed by many, this plant that can bloom abundantly in meadows and old fields, or even roadsides, is a powerful medicine. And, if you diligently pick all the flowers and buds before they turn to seed you will also be preventing its primary way of spreading and becoming a noxious weed! Although there are many plants in the genus Hypericum the one you want for medicine will stain your finger tips a dark purple red when you crush the flowers or buds, and when you hold a leaf up to the sun it will look like it has pin holes where the light shines through, hence perforatum like perforated. |
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| | Hypericum perforatum Part of plant used: fresh (not dried) flowers and buds, minimal leaf matter This plant is amazing! With a unique aroma that I can't describe and bright yellow blooms that turn the oil a deep candy red color, it is mesmerizing to me. Native to Europe, northern Africa and west Asia, but growing abundantly in most of the America's as well, It has been used by different people around the globe for centuries and therefore has a rich history of use. It is an oil I plan to always have in my home because of its many uses. Folk tradition says steep this herb in oil for a minimum of three months, which is quite a long time, especially for a herb that is not dried before being covered with oil. But perhaps because of its strong antimicrobial properties I have rarely heard of a batch going bad! Saint John's Wort has a strong affinity with the nervous system and is a great all around vulnerary, meaning it has strong wound healing properties. You may be familiar with it in its tincture form for uplifting the mood, especially due to winter blues. As an externally used oil, it particularly shines when helping with things related to the nerves: sciatica or other radiating pains, shingles pain, which comes from the nerves, and post surgery pain that is often due to disturbed nerves. Because of its affinity for the nervous system it seems to also be particularly helpful after any kind of trauma, both physical or psychological. It is great after a car accident, to help a body heal from whiplash or other impact injuries, sprains and strains. And it will also simultaneously soothe the rattled mental state. There are stories of people having great success with it after any kind of crushing injury as well - such as crushing a finger in a door, or something heavy falling on you that might cause a contusion, meaning any injury that might leave a bruise, whether it be more of a surface bruise or a deep bone bruise. It's aroma and feel is mildly warming and calming to the nervous system, as if bringing that summer solstice sun into the room, gently uplifting the mood. | | |
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| | Saint John's wort also shines when used for heat or chemical burns, including after radiation treatment for cancers. It's antimicrobial, anti inflammatory, and astringent properties will draw out and bring down any blistering burn, keeping it from getting infected, speeding the healing and minimizing scarring. It can be applied liberally after cooling a burn in water. If you have enough of it, tradition is even to soak the burn in the oil, changing the oil regularly. If you have an insect bite it is also helpful, particularly when the bite or sting becomes hot and itchy (noticing a theme? Think burn...). Here again, it will calm and soothe. Pretty amazing right? So many uses! What I also love is that as an oil used externally it is quite safe with almost no contra-indications! It can even be used during pregnancy and can be great to help some of the aches and pains of the changing body during pregnancy. Taken internally, Saint John's wort can interact with a number of medications and therefore must be used cautiously, but externally it is considered quite safe/ The one area that there seems to be debate about is that for some it seems to cause photosensitivity, meaning it makes them get sunburnt more easily. But then you will also hear lots of accounts of it being a great natural sunscreen! So the jury is out. But generally, I suggest caution in the sun with this oil if you are particularly fair skinned, or if using it on new skin, such as a newly healed wound or scar. As a massage therapist, I would say this is an oil you can't go wrong with. If you feel at all drawn to it I suggest you try it! I would particularly recommend it for anyone dealing with radiating nerve like pain. | | |
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So to recap, here are the highlights of Saint John's Wort: -An amazing vulnerary, meaning helpful to heal almost any kind of wound -Anti microbial and anti inflammatory -Great for burns -Has a strong affinity for the nervous system so helpful for any kind of nerve pain |
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As with any new substance, if you tend to be highly sensitive or prone to allergies a spot test is never a bad idea. To do this we would apply a small amount to a part of you body and make sure you have no reaction before using it for a whole body massage. Stay tuned for more individual plant profiles, and what their herbal infused oil is particularly good for! |
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Have you enjoyed your visits to Flow State Healing? The best compliment is a referral. Tell your friends about us! And don't forget to write us a five star review on google, yelp, facebook, and Massage book! (It is ok to copy and paste the same review to all platforms) Follow us @FlowStateHealing on Instagram and Facebook! Call 843.284.3235 to book you appointment or visit www.MiwaRobbins.com to book online |
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