Key words: St. John's wort, beast, flower, wool, dye, perennial, 99 diseases, photosensitivity, potency [Medicine under our Feet Series: Part 2/4] This is the second part of a four part series, looking at different plants of importance in the Hutsul region. These photos were taken on some of the hikes/walks with folks noting some of the medicine under our feet. Walking with Lyuba to milk the cow, I am impressed by her ability to layer two milking pails, a bucket of cow feed, a walking stick (called an oak) and her positive, effervescent energy into the creative bundle called a soul. She’s a teacher, a grandmother, a talented photographer, a healer and a lover of her mountains. As we walk, I ask her about the plants she gathers. She shares freely what she knows. These walks to the pastures twice a day are a gift to me. I figure I can help carry the milk pails back. As she milks the cows, I wander in the fields and these are some of the favorite moments in my field work – deep observation that enters a meditative state. The sky bows its cloak of darkness in a slow dance of orange, red and yellow, as the flowers catch the wind. It is in these moments of stillness, that my mind eases into the present. I can hear one the cows holler and I know it’s almost time to head back to meet back with Lyuba. As I approach her, I see her holding tall yellow-petaled flowers, with dark green, upright stems. I call to her, asking, “What plant are you holding?” Lyuba replies, “Звіробій”…also known as St. John’s wort. St. John’s wort is a perennial herb (30-60 cm) with a straight stalk, and regular flowers. They grow in mixed forests, meadows, fallow fields, meadows, among shrubs, forested areas and near roads. They bloom from June to August and they are pretty well distributed throughout Ukraine. What does the ethnobotanical plant medicine literature say? Among some of the most important historical plant medicine literature printed in Ukraine (Elin et al. 1983; Komendar, 1971; ) notes that St. John's wort is a very popular therapeutic agent, used as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. It is used to treat conditions like diarrhea, liver disease, kidney issues and gastrointestinal diseases. It can also be used to treat skin issues like rashes. It is noted that mammals that are fair-haired, as a rule, have higher rates of poisoning, dermatitis, and paralysis to name a few symptoms (Elin et al. 1983). Some other uses of St. John's wort include its use in: essential oils, tanning skins, food industry and dye. St. John's wort contains essential oils including cineole (think Eucalyptus) and myrcene (think Cannabis, Hops, Lemongrass). It is used in perfumes and all parts of the plants have tannins (up to 7.5%), so it is used for tanning skins, giving elasticity and color (Karhut 1992). In the food industry, it is used in the preparation of bitter vodka and infusions. The flowers contain hypericin dye with different colors like yellow, green, red and pink dyes which are suitable for dying wool. Wool is an important source of warmth in this mountainous region. We can see how this plant provides more than just a source of medicine and food but adds vibrancy to the lifeways of Hutsul forest-dependent communities. Side tangent about badass wool blankets: In this region, Hutsuls are traditional pastoral highlanders, and known to keep sheep. From the wool of these sheep and dyes from many plants including St. John's wort, Hutsul folks make beautifully thick, warm, wool blankets called lizhnyky/ліжники. (If you want to learn more about this traditional lifeway, here's a beautiful film about lizhynyky/ліжники). What have I noticed in my research? I noticed in Carpathian meadows which are frequented by grazers, St. John's wort is left alone for the most part which probably has something to do with poisoning and photosensitivity. There are about four Hypericum species in these mountains, even a local, endemic species called Hypericum carpaticum. Out of the 40 Hutsul elders, botanists, stewards, farmers, scientists I interviewed, it was one of the three highly referenced plants of cultural importance. The title of this post "St. John's Wort: The Beast Killer" is derived from the Ukrainian translation of “Звіробій”/zvirobiy into English. It could reference to how it can poison large mammals, such as sheep, cows, goats, bison, if eaten at high quantities, hence killing the beast! Perhaps it references to how it is meant to be taken, which is sparingly due to its potency. It kills the beast, the beast being the ailment. It was commonly noted that St. John's wort cures up to 99 diseases (I still haven't gotten a list of all those 99 diseases). It is commonly used as a tea to treat stomach issues (like diarrhea) and as an antibacterial agent. Hutsuls note that this plant is very aromatic, sweet, and tasty. In terms of gathering, it is easy to snap the stem of St. John's wort and people have noted that St. John's wort spreads easily in meadows and pastures. It is harvested during the bloom and it is dried immediately to avoid degradation of active components, especially hyperforins. What does current pharmacological research say about this beast killer plant? St. John's wort derived products has increased quite a bit and is one of the most used medicinal plants in the world (Ekor 2014). It is best known today for its use in the treatment of depression but it has been used for at least 2,000 years for conditions like stomach ulcers, menstrual disorders, nerve pain and topically for wound and burn healing. A number of Hypericum species are used by American Indians (Cherokee, Iroquois and Montagnais) (National Geographic 2018). The flowering herb of St. John's wort is used in well-established medicinal products for mild to moderate treatments of depression (Galeotti, 2017). In 2009, 29 clinical trials conducted on St. John's wort for mild to moderate depression, concluded it is more effective than its placebo. Additionally, it is as effective as standard prescription antidepressants, with fewer adverse side effects. It is also effective against herpes simplex1 - a virus known to cause fever blisters and cold sores (National Geographic 2018). As Lyuba holds up this plant and explains to me how it grows, where it grows, I quickly understand that her relationship to these plants and her mountains, goes beyond listing characteristics. I go about grabbing the milk pails to help Lyuba. I try to make sure the milk doesn't leap out of the pails...It becomes pretty apparent that Lyuba’s strength (in all areas) surpasses my own. I learned this pretty quickly as she giggles loudly and with a grin. Some recipes from the book, "The Living Pharmacy": - They recommend 1 tablespoon of crushed St. John's wort to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes. It is advised to drink sips of 4.5 glasses one to two times a day for gastritis or to increase the flow of bile or diuresis. - Externally apply (especially the flowers) to lotions for wounds. However, it is important to note to avoid sunlight since it can cause skin burns and photosensitivity. References
Ekor M. 2014. The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4:177. Elin Y.Y, M.Y. Zerova, V.I. Lyshpa and C.I. Shabarova. 1983. The Gifts of the Forest. Kyiv: Urozhai. Galeotti, N. 2017. Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) beyond depression: A therapeutic perspective for pain conditions. "Healing Remedies." National Geographic. 21 Decembers 2018: 12. Print. Karhut, V.V. 1992. The Living Pharmacy. Kyiv: Zdorovya. Komendar, B. 1971. Medicinal Plants of the Carpathians. Karpaty: Uzhorod. Photo sources: https://ukrainer.net/carpathian-lizhnyk/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/228346643586610914/?lp=true
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