How to Take St. John's Wort

Saint John's wort is good for various ailments. According to legend, it was adopted by Saint John of Jerusalem, who is said to have used it in the time of the battle Crusades. It was used to clean and heal wounds. There are various ways to take St. John's wort.

Things You'll Need

• Saint John's wort capsules
• Saint John's wort tincture (liquid form)
• Saint John's wort tea
• Saint John's wort oil

Instructions

1. Saint John's wort can be taken internally, mostly as a capsule with water. When taken this way it has a sedative effect that can relieves pain, insomnia, anxiety, nervous tension and a host of other varying ailments. Follow the instructions on the bottle.

2. 

   Saint John's wort also comes as a tincture (liquid form). Follow manufacturer's instructions concerning intake. It can be used in combination with other herbs. You can also make your own homemade tincture by steeping the fresh herbs in alcohol to get the maximum benefit. Make sure the herb is cleaned thoroughly and throw out any bruised or discolored stems. Use a food processor to finely chop the herb. Use canning jars to pour in the mixture. You need anywhere from a 20 to 400 full proof alcohol in order the make the tincture effective. Make sure that the entire herb is saturated. Leaving exposed parts can cause the herb to become moldy and unusable. Wait approximately 3 to 6 weeks for tincture to mature. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or parchment paper. Discard leaves and stems. Pour the tincture into usable bottles for future use.

3. Saint John's wort is also used as tea. These teas can be found in most heath food stores in a varying assortment of blends. Make tea according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Saint John's wort comes in herb oil. The oil is mostly used as an external tincture. This is not an internal supplement or tea, so it cannot be used internally. You can use the oil to rub on aching joints, around the temples if you have a headache and in bath water. The oil can be slightly heated for a more soothing effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use this herb or any other herb as a medical treatment replacement for serious health issues. If you do have serious health issues or develop an allergic reaction while taking Saint John's wort, contact your physician immediately.

• Be very careful going into sunlight. Saint John's wort has a side effect of photosensitivity. Some folks might develop an allergic reaction when taking the herb. Some have developed tissue damage under the skin and in a few cases death has occurred. Be cautious by using a sunscreen to prevent skin from burning.