St. Johnswort was an herb I was eager to work with when I first started learning. Especially since I heard it was a sunburn remedy. Like Echinacea, it is an extremely popular one. Most of us have heard about it's effectiveness for depression. Though this is true, St. Johnswort is also has other amazing uses.

When I think of St. Johnswort I think nerves. Making oil from the fresh flowers can ease muscular aches, sore shoulders, stiff necks, and the pain of sciatica, neuralgia, or arthritis. It penetrates into the nerve endings and relieves pain and inflammation. AND of course, it is a sunburn remedy.

You can also take the tincture internally for the same things. Often, it's good to take an herb internally while using it externally. If you put a dropper full or two in your water bottle while your on a long hike, you can prevent muscle aches the next day.

But I think the thing I use the oil for the most is for a sunburn remedy and to prevent sunburns.

So, apply the oil on your skin liberally to prevent sunburns.

However, don't just use it as you would your SPF 30 lotion. Apply it whenever you go out into the sun. Use St. Johnswort oil regularly to create healthy sun-tolerant skin. Think of it more as a skin nourisher than as a layer of protection like a sun block. And if you get sunburn, you can use it then too! It is surely my favorite sunburn remedy.

The hypericin in the plant turns the oil a deep, rich RED.

There are so many more uses including the fact that it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal, but I think I'll keep it simple here and let you learn about other uses once you get to know St. Johnswort a little better.

One thing I want to mention is that this plant blooms around the summer solstice. Funny that it can prevent us from sunburns and be a sunburn remedy as well as bring on a sunny disposition if we're down.  It's as if you are bottling the summer solstice for when you need it.

If you live in a drier area, look in open sunny fields. If you live in a wetter area like me in the Northwest, look in well drained areas like trail sides. I find it on many rail road beds that have been converted to hiking trails. Avoid road sides and sprayed areas.

When you see it flowering is the time to pick St. Johnswort.

To identify, St. Johnswort flowers turn your fingers purple when you crush them. Also look at the leaves, they have tiny holes in them.