DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE st. john’s wort oil FROM FRESH HERB?
benefits of st. johns wort OIL
St. John’s wort is one of the most widely used and popular folk remedies. It is used both externally and internally and can help with many conditions. The yellow, star-shaped flower has been used since ancient times in various forms, including tea, tinctures, ointments, and oils. The St. John’s wort plant has bright yellow flowers with five petals arranged in clusters on the ends of its stems. The petals are about 1 inch across and have dark dots that contain hypericin and release a red pigment when crushed. Recent studies report various potential medicinal activities of hypericin, such as antidepressive, antineoplastic, antitumor, and antiviral properties. Confirmation of data is incomplete, and the mechanisms of these activities remain largely unexplained.
HOW to make St. john’s wort oil
Summer is the perfect time to prepare johns wort infused olive oil. This year, due to the warmer weather, the plant bloomed two weeks earlier than usual. My cousin picked the plant for me, giving me the chance to make St. John’s wort macerate for the first time using a fresh plant. I was very excited about it.
To macerate a plant, you will need the following items:
- A suitable glass container to hold the plant
- Vegetable oil for maceration, I use linoleic sunflower oil
- The plant itself
Here are the steps to macerate the plant:
Examine the plant for any signs of insects and ensure it is clean.
I cut the flower part of the plant into smaller pieces using scissors to allow the beneficial contents to be released.
After cutting, drizzle a I pur a small amount of alcohol over the sliced plant to further encourage the release of medicinal substances.
I place the sliced plant material into a glass container, filling it up to one-third of the way, then pour vegetable oil over the plant material to fill the rest of the container, cca 2/3. Make sure the plant material is always covered with oil to prevent spoilage of the macerate.
Every couple of days, particularly in the first few days, check the condition of the macerate, stir it, and add more oil if necessary.
Let the mixture sit for about 4-6 weeks to allow the maceration process to take place.
After the 4-6 week, it is important to carefully strain the plant material.
A convenient method is to employ a coffee filter for this purpose. I prefer to perform a double filtration to ensure the removal of any remaining plant particles.
Additionally, I avoid pressing the remaining plant material, as it might contain excess water that could potentially impact the quality of the emulsions at a later stage.
After filtering the oil twice, pour the macerate into a brown glass bottle. Label the bottle with the date it was made. Your st johns wort infused olive is now ready for use!
Please remember the following information about St. John’s wort oil:
Precautions and Phototoxicity:
St. John’s wort is a popular folk remedy used for various conditions. It can be applied externally or taken internally in the form of tea, tinctures, ointments, and oils. However, using it with certain medications can cause serious reactions, leading to its restriction in some countries.
Phototoxicity:
St. John’s wort (SJW) oil is phototoxic, meaning it can cause burns when the skin is exposed to sunlight after application. The active ingredient in SJW, hypericin, increases sensitivity to sunlight, which can lead to burns, blisters, or rashes on sun-exposed skin. Dermatologists recommend avoiding the use of SJW oils for tanning and protection, especially homemade oils, as they can burn at high temperatures.
Recommendations:
- Avoid applying SJW-treated skin to sunlight.
- Use high protection factor creams and wear adequate clothing if you have used SJW.
- Use creams, body milks (for dry skin), and gels (for oily skin) instead of oils for skin protection.
Eye Health Risks:
Hypericin in SJW can cause changes in the proteins of the lens, potentially leading to cataracts. Studies have shown possible damage with increased light exposure from products containing SJW.
In conclusion, while SJW offers numerous skincare benefits, its phototoxicity and potential interactions with medications necessitate careful use. Avoiding sun exposure after applying SJW and opting for alternative sun protection methods are crucial for safe skincare.
If you know how to use it, there will be no problem when formulating creams or ointments.
Happy formulating!
