SJW tincture.

Date: Fri, 30 Jun 1995 14:52:11 -0700
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: Howie Brounstein <howieb.TELEPORT.COM>
Subject: Re: Tincture question St Johns Wort

>I have gathered some St Johns Wort with the intention of making a tincture of it. The herb book that I have says that the `aerial' portions are used. Does this mean the flowers, leaves AND stem are to be used? I would appreciate someones helpful response!

from a previous herblist post of mine:

snip

And when you hold the leaves of the hypericum perforatum the the light of the sky you will see little holes...actually compartments (perforations)....that trap and use the energy of the sun to run a biochemical factory......making hypericin....the red colored constituent assumed to be one of the active ones. Squueeezze that unopened flower bud...just a hint of yellow petals peaking so cautiously from its sepal safety...sqqqueeeezze and you will delight to find a drop of redness so strong as to dye the fingers.

Now when I teach my students about this Wort...we general use flower buds and the stems and small leaves attached to them to prepare oils and tinctures. This appears to work just fine, producing extracts of wond'rous redfulness. But those who wish for an herbal nectar of delight of greater strength...they sit for hours collecting just flower petals in some zen like quest. Well....what good's an herbalist without patience : ) ......Certainly they are rewarded with extract of unequaled value (not found in Cheapside).

snip

Howie