Being Polish, I am also intrigued by the naming of herbs in other languages. In Polish, the common name of St. John's Wort is "Dziurawiec," which means "perforated or full of holes." Hypericum (what naturopaths affectionately call it) is effective as an anti-depressant for seasonal affective disorder, a common condition here in Seattle. It can also help insomnia, menstrual irregularities, purify the blood preventing illness, and tonify the respiratory, intestinal and urinary tracts. It can also help heal wounds and burns when topically applied.
Hypericum is an astringent, (tightens tissues) vulnerary, (soothes and helps to heal wounds) an anti-inflammatory, (self-explanatory) a very powerful nervine, (benefits the nervous system) anti-bacterial, (experiments have shown it to be active against tuberculosis bacterium) and a tonic (strengthens and enlivens specific organs or the whole body). Taken internally, it can treat neuralgia, sciatica, fibrositis, and anxiety. Topically in lotion, oil, or a skin-wash, made from a strong infusion of the tea, it will speed healing of wounds of all kinds, bruises, varicose veins, and mild burns. The active constituents are glycosides, including rutin, volatile oil, resin, tannin and pectin. Studies show that two other components, hypericin and pseudohypericin, exhibit significant anti-viral activity against retroviruses like HIV. Hypericin is a photosensitizing substance that reacts with light and can cause the skin to burn in light-skinned or sun-sensitive people. Even animals that graze on the herb show this photo-sensitivity.

When I was a student at Bastyr University, all of our AIDS patients were given Hypericum herb in capsules for the depression often associated with the illness, and for its anti-viral effect. Usually, patients reported feeling much better when taking it. I support all the claims made for this herb, because I have seen it work, but I believe there is still something additional, something mysteriously wonderful about this herb that we as yet have not discovered. Maybe this "something" is what historically gave this plant "supernatural powers." Ancient Greeks believed that the fragrance of Hypericum chased evil spirits away. Christian priests in the Middle Ages used the plant in exorcisms. European peasants used a sprig of the plant as a charm against witchcraft. American Indians used the tea as powerful medicine for many ailments, from respiratory problems to influenza.

My own awe-inspiring experiences with Hypericum have caused me to hold this herb in very high regard. A man I know in Eastern Washington, who is now in his ninth decade of life, had very serious kidney problems about ten years ago. He had been hospitalized several times, was being heavily medicated and not liking it, was put on a special diet which forbade him from eating his favorite vegetables, the doctors claiming that the calcium in these vegetables was causing him to produce kidney stones. He was very frustrated and upset with his condition and decided to take matters in his own hands. He released himself from the hospital and decided to try an experiment. He and his wife had been wildcrafting St. John's Wort for some time because they enjoyed having a cup of tea now and then, and they had quite a lot of it on hand. He says it was his intuition that gave him the idea, but he started drinking several cups of the tea every day, and within a few weeks he passed several kidney stones, and has been living a healthy and vibrant life ever since, and he went back to eating his carrots and spinach with no problems whatsoever. He and his wife continue to wildcraft in their secret spot, and now drink the tea occasionally. By the way, his wife, who is in her late seventies, had debilitating arthritis and migraine headaches, and she claims the tea cured her of both conditions.

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