St. 's Wort

July 29, 2000

HI - haven't heard that SJW has been banned, but

my doctor told me recent studies indicate this can

cause cataracts. Has anybody heard this?

Best, Jennie

--- " D. Cumming " <pcumming1@...> wrote:

> E-drug: St. 's Wort

> ---------------------------------------------

> Dear Colleagues,

>

> A usually reliable US health newsletter reported

> this morning (July

> 21, 2000) that St. 's Wort has been " banned " by

> the French Health

> Ministry and is to be removed from the market.

>

> Could a French colleague confirm this report?

> Also, if this report

> is accurate could information be provided regarding

> the Health

> Ministry's reasons for banning the herb.

>

> Best regards,

>

> Larry

>

> Larry D. Sasich, Pharm.D., M.P.H., FASHP

> Public Citizen's Health Research Group

> 1600 20th Street, NW

> Washington, DC 20009

> Voice: 202-588-7782

> FAX: 202-588-7793

> E-Mail: lsasich@...

> Web Site: www.citizen.org/hrg

>

> From: " Christophe Kopp " <Christophe.Kopp@...>

> Subject: [e-drug] St 's Wort (cont)

> ---------------------------------------------

> As far as we know St 's Wort has not been

> withdrawn from the

> French market, where some products based on this

> plant are still

> available. But these products have no legally

> recognised status.

> The French pharmacists body has recently recommended

> that " all

> products based on St 's Wort be withdrawn from

> display shelves

> that are visible to consumers " .

> Christophe Kopp

> Staff editor

> La revue Prescrire

> Paris (France)

>

> [st 's Wort (hypericum) is prescribed for

> depression by some

> psychiatrists in Australia and some patients believe

> it is helpful.

> However, it is not without side effects and dosage

> needs to be

> managed. It would be interesting to know what is

> behind the French

> move. BS]

>

__________________________________________________

December 2, 2000

In response to the way all of us seem to differer in reactions when we

take supplements/medications, etc., has anyone here tried using muscle

testing that certified applied kinesiologists use , and also NAET

practitioners? While I know it is not " approved " of in the tradiitional

medical community and does not work l00% of the time, it sure works for

me enough to take advantage of this. Some chiropractors are certified

in this. It is not a game to be played. Sure cuts down on whether

knowing to take something that will cause serious side effects.

I have only been on the list about a month and will be unsubscribing

soon, as I don't have the energy to keep up with all the lists and also

have MCS so anyone who wishes may e-mail me personally . I would like

to know how you get the diagnosis of CFSME which from reading the list

seems to be a more severe (and different?) form of CFS? I have been

told mine and also the MCS is more severe than any other patient the

doctors have seen.

As to the MCS, if there are any of you who have the chemical

sensitiities also, the media just said they have a new form of gadget

for the internet that will produce a fragrance smell to send with your

e-mails. Heaven forbid!

Best Wishes to all and if you have any wonderful info in mind please

keep me in mind.

Thanks.

josiefour@...

June 19, 2001

strength_coach@..., wrote:

<In the light of the following study, I would like to know if you

think St. 's Wort is a useful supplement for power atheletes.

<J Psychopharmacol 2001 Mar;15(1):47-54

Hypericum perforatum (St 's Wort): a non-selective reuptake

inhibitor? A review of the recent advances in its pharmacology.>

May I interject, here, that when this the effect of this stuff

stops showing any improvement, as when the sleep cycle (circadian

rhythm) returns, stop taking it. An immunity builds up.

Best

Chuck

RoshiCorp@...

City?

http://www.mindaware.com/eegneur.html

February 11, 2002

Well all I can say is I HOPE it helps my lips because right now it

feels like I've been eating hot peppers. They are ON FIRE!! I have

a feeling that whatever the manufacturer uses in that lipstick that makes

it stain your lips to stay on has eaten away my skin. Boy is that stuff going

in the garbage. And they cost about $10/ea and I have 3 of them. I'm going

to slather that healing salve on at bed time like butter on toast (hehe)

RE: my lips need HELP

I think either of those straight would be fine. You know that healing salve that we got at the gathering last summer? I've been using that stuf straight on my lips. works great, feels good!

Shaye

-----Original Message-----From: Joe Murray [mailto:jmurray2@...]Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 11:40 AM Subject: my lips need HELP

Hey guys

My lips are killing me. The funny thing is they're not peeling. I have a

feeling that a lipstick I've been using is the culprit. It's one of those new

kinds that you get one liquid lipstick that basically stains the lips and the

other part is the "gloss topper" that's a solid. It's called LipFinity and the

other is by CoverGirl. That's the only thing I can think of that would cause

the problem I'm having. I've been using it for a couple of months but all of

a sudden my lips feel like they have tiny tiny bumps all over them and they

kind of hurt and they're dry. The other morning I woke up and they were

even swollen. I would think if it was chapped lips that they would peel but

they're not. I don't have time now to mess around with lip balm recipes so

is there someting I can put on them "straight" that would help? I have mango

butter, shea butter and other things. Any suggestions? My lips would

certainly appreciate it.

Our Message Boardhttp://www.voy.com/21568/Check out these great Molds!!http://soapwerks.com/martinworld.htmMember Kae's Site... Awesome oil Prices!http://www.olivetreesoaps.com/All posts to this list are copyrighted by post author. They may NOT be forwarded, copied, or used in anyway without the permission of the post author with the exception of answering posts to this list. Posts are personal opinions only.

February 12, 2002

Jeanine, if you all want I'll type up a list when I get this together of who

is where.

The St swort I was talking with about was in a salve infused with a

bunch other herbs. We got a tin of this stuf at last years gathering.

Yep I know just cuz its natural dosnt mean its safe or good. Poison Ivy is

very natural. Who the heck would want THAT! LOL

Thanks for the location info!

Shaye

St. 's Wort

Be careful with St. 's Wort! Studies are showing that it's use

lessens the effectiveness of many medications. Most people use it

for depression. The patients I have that use it find it doesn't work

all that well. We should all remember that just because something

is 'natural' doesn't make it safe. Some of our most potent poisons

are 'natural'. Enough preaching.

Shaye, I live in North Tonawanda - halfway between Buffalo and the

Falls. An updated list of members and where they live would be great.

Jeanine

Jeanine's Hummingbird Soap Works

Our Message Board

http://www.voy.com/21568/

Check out these great Molds!!

http://soapwerks.com/martinworld.htm

Member Kae's Site... Awesome oil Prices!

http://www.olivetreesoaps.com/

All posts to this list are copyrighted by post author. They may NOT be

forwarded, copied, or used in anyway without the permission of the post

author with the exception of answering posts to this list. Posts are

personal opinions only.

February 12, 2002

I was just wondering where these " studies " are. I collect all of the

information we give out at the health food store i work, and i have not see

and studies (although i partly agree with you)... i was just wondering

because i would like to read it...

Thanks

Sam

Syracuse

May 20, 2003

In a message dated 5/20/2003 10:15:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

noliro@... writes:

<< What I am wondering at the moment is the story about St. 's Wort >>

It is an avoid and there is a better herb for Os. Someone out there knows

what it is. I do know that St. 's Wart makes you photosensitive and will

get you really splotched in the sun.

May 20, 2003

Purchase 5HTP. That is what Os should take

Type O's have lower levels of the enzyme MAO, and St. s Wort is an

MAO inhibitor. This perhaps explains why many type Os on St s Wort

say they feel " weird " or have disturbing dreams. I have however been

finding that type O's with mild to moderate depression do benefit from

the amino acid tyrosine (which can boost dopamine levels), and arginine

(which is used to recycle nitrous oxide in the nervous system). Also,

the gene for the enzyme dopamine beta hydroxylase sits right on top of

the ABO gene and there are indications that this may cause psychiatric

syndromes to be somewhat related to ABO blood group. Maybe those

Japanese personality observations were not so off-the-wall after all? It

is interesting that dopamine, a chemical which is closely linked with

sense of well-being, when defficient also produces hypoglycemia, which

you allude to at the end of your question. Perhaps even more interesting

is that the chemical structure of dopamine resembles the ABO antigens.

What does blood type have to do with neurotransmitters and the

neuro-hormonal response to stress? While the use of blood type as a

determinant of personality traits has been prevalent in Japan, a lack of

tangible scientific facts had relegated these cultural beliefs to the

realm of fantasy. However, an increasing amount of evidence indicates

that individuals of differing blood groups have extremely different

responses to the same stressor. Equally surprising, the genetics of

blood group also appear to alter your susceptibility to developing

certain neuro-psychiatric disorders. Even the response to inhaled nitric

oxide seems to be modulated along the lines of blood type.

Stress, brain chemicals, nitric oxide; the common ground these disparate

observations share is that all are dependent on neuro-hormonal signals

to moderate an appropriate response to environmental factors. This is

where science meets magic, because these neuro-hormonal signals are all

mediated by the availability of certain nutritional building blocks and

the activity of specific enzymes to catalyze the transformation of

neurotransmitters and stress hormones.

Supplement-wise, I've found that type O's with mild to moderate

depression can do very well with additional levels of the amino acid

L-TYROSINE (1) and the B vitamins FOLIC ACID (2) and METHYLCOBALAMIN, or

" Active B12 " . (3)

Through the miracle of the human genome project, it has become possible

to explore the very fabric of human genetics. Evidence indicates the

gene that controls blood type expression is probably also linked to and

controls inheritence of the genes that code for the activity of

dopamine-beta hydroxylase, catechol-O-methyl transferase, and

arginosuccinate synthetase. Coincidentally, these are all enzymes that

influence our neuro-hormonal response to environmental factors.

1. Meyers S. Related Articles Use of neurotransmitter precursors for

treatment of depression. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Feb;5(1):64-71. Review.

2. Lee S, Wing YK, Fong S. A controlled study of folate levels in

Chinese inpatients with major depression in Hong Kong. J Affect Disord.

1998 Apr;49(1):73-7.

3. GS. Folates: supplemental forms and therapeutic applications.

Altern Med Rev. 1998 Jun;3(3):208-20. Review.

St. 's Wort

Hi, I have not been around for awhile and want to get back here

again for the great ideas....I see a lot of new names!

I read with great interest the news of a new group but then was

dismayed that it was the old Shaklee crew. Oh well....

What I am wondering at the moment is the story about St. 's Wort

and wondering what effect it has on O's...why is it an avoid? My

doctor has prescribed 300 mg at 9 p.m. for me as I have had a lot of

insomnia.

My sleep is better than it used to be but that could be other

factors. One concern is that I have been gaining weight.

Any advice? Ann

May 20, 2003

This is a quote from Dr. D in the Live Right book on St. 's Wort for

O's:

My type O patients who take the herb St. 's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

complain that it makes them feel very lethargic after one or two weeks, and

they often report having " weird dreams. " Although there has been some debate

about whether St. 's wort is an MAO inhibitor, this debate stem from a

poor reading of the available literature.

The principle antidepressant part of St. 's wort probably doesn't

inhibit MAO, although other components of the plant, principally the

flavonols and xanthones, certainly do. These components specifically inhibit

MAO-B, the type of MAO found on platelets. Since this enzyme is already low

in Type O's, St. 's wort can worsen the condition. In addition, the

anti-MAO effect of crude St. 's wort preparations can lower the platelet

MAO to a threshold whr " Type A Personalily " problems, such as impusivity

and sensation-seeking, worsen.

In addition, a little-known effect of St.'s wort is its ablitity to

inhibit dopamine beta hydroxylase. Alcoholic extracts, which contian the

whole plant and are probably the form most often purchased in health food

stores, inhibit dopamine beta hydrozylase much more readily than pure

hypercin. Inhibiting dopamine bata hydroxylase much more readily than pure

phpericin. Inhibiting dopamine beta hydroxylase can have catastrophic

effects for a Type O on the " high " dopamine cycle. There is a danger of

increasing dopamine to lvels of psychosis. (Remember Schizophrenia, is

asociated with high dopamine levels.)

That is all I can tell you. I hope this helps.

St. 's Wort

> Hi, I have not been around for awhile and want to get back here

> again for the great ideas....I see a lot of new names!

>

> I read with great interest the news of a new group but then was

> dismayed that it was the old Shaklee crew. Oh well....

>

> What I am wondering at the moment is the story about St. 's Wort

> and wondering what effect it has on O's...why is it an avoid? My

> doctor has prescribed 300 mg at 9 p.m. for me as I have had a lot of

> insomnia.

>

> My sleep is better than it used to be but that could be other

> factors. One concern is that I have been gaining weight.

>

> Any advice? Ann

>

May 23, 2003

Thanks ....sorry to be so long getting back to you and the others who so

kindly responded...have been in a time crunch. I do believe that there is a

problem with my dopamine levels. Indeed I probably have other imbalances with

brain chemistry ...wish I understood more. I get migraines and this clearly

indicates the sensitivity I have.

Thanks for copying out that passage...I e-mailed it to my doc and he totally

agreed.

Thanks too..hope you have a good trip. Ann

Re: St. 's Wort

This is a quote from Dr. D in the Live Right book on St. 's Wort for

O's:

September 13, 2003

Thanks Sharon, I will definitely talk to him before taking anything,

promise. Some of those symptoms sound all too familiar when I was on too

much of the Effexor and my blood pressure sky rocketed. You and the hubby

enjoy the movie and have a terrific weekend.

Hug:-)

Sandi

St. 's Wort

Good Morning, Sandi!

(my husband) and I are watching " Strangers on a Train " , an old

Hitchcock thriller from 1947. We love old movies! It's a relaxing way to

spend the morning.

You asked about St. 's Wort. I've been taking it once or twice daily

for about two years. I love it! I also use melatonin at night along with

5-htp (a precursor to serotonin). However, now that I'm on the Lexapro,

I'm weaning myself off the 5-htp and the St. 's Wort to see if I can

feel okay without them. I also try to work protein into at least two meals

a day.

I spoke with my doctor two years ago (the rheumatologist) about using the

St. 's Wort, melatonin, and 5-htp, and she said if it works, go for it!

Just make sure you let your doctor know if you are going to use St. 's

Wort. BE CAREFUL - TOO MUCH SEROTONIN IS DANGEROUS - it's called serotonin

syndrome. The most common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:

restlessness, confusion, agitation, feeling overheated or excessive

sweating, euphoria, racing heartbeat, headache (related to rise in blood

pressure), confusion and concentration problems, shakiness, difficulty with

reflexes, excessive salivation, rapid contraction and relaxation of the

ankle muscle causing abnormal movements of the foot or jaw, clumsiness,

feeling intoxicated or dizzy, sweating, muscle twitching, rigidity,

loosening of bowels or diarrhea.

These are nasty symptoms, and they can be dangerous if untreated. So, if

you're going to add St. 's Wort or any herbal supplement, make sure you

talk to your doctor first.

Hugs and prayers,

Sharon

On 9/13/03 9:11 AM, " Sandi " <sandi112968@...> wrote:

> Well Sharon… this might be the cocktail for you. I hope you don’t mind I

> keep up with your progress on the Lexapro for at least the next 5 days or

> so. I’m sure that’s about how long it will take before the first crying

> spell kicks in gear. Especially since I am already having random crying

> spells with 150mg a day and the Dr. knows this. He’s expecting a call

from

> me in the next 7-10 days he said, but I’m going to give it my best shot.

I

> had even thought about maybe trying to replace the need for serotonin with

> that over the counter stuff St. ’s Wort. Anyone????? I know, it’s

> probably NOT going to be what I need, wishful thinking, a girl can dream,

> since I have to be on something for the rest of my life. Oh well, so far

> the research today says that I will go with either Prozac 40mg a day,

enough

> to curb the appetite or give Lexapro a shot. I was on Prozac for 12 years

> and I can’t say that I gained anymore than I was already weighing. I had

> put on 90lbs all by myself by being depressed and eating the wrong things

> and overeating obviously and at the wrong times. I’m thinking if it

didn’t

> make me gain more weight than I already was at, then it probably won’t do

> the same thing again. The only reason he didn’t put me back on Prozac to

> begin with is because I had stopped taking it for about 2 ½ months all by

> myself and I needed something to work quick –hence Effexor XR. What the

> hell must have I been thinking.

>

> Sandi

>

September 13, 2003

One thing about St. 's Wort. Some studies have linked it to

decreased effectiveness of the birth control pill. If this is a

concern for you, be careful.

>

> > Well Sharon… this might be the cocktail for you. I hope you

don't mind I

> > keep up with your progress on the Lexapro for at least the next

5 days or

> > so. I'm sure that's about how long it will take before the

first crying

> > spell kicks in gear. Especially since I am already having

random crying

> > spells with 150mg a day and the Dr. knows this. He's expecting

a call

> from

> > me in the next 7-10 days he said, but I'm going to give it my

best shot.

> I

> > had even thought about maybe trying to replace the need for

serotonin with

> > that over the counter stuff St. 's Wort. Anyone????? I

know, it's

> > probably NOT going to be what I need, wishful thinking, a girl

can dream,

> > since I have to be on something for the rest of my life. Oh

well, so far

> > the research today says that I will go with either Prozac 40mg a

day,

> enough

> > to curb the appetite or give Lexapro a shot. I was on Prozac

for 12 years

> > and I can't say that I gained anymore than I was already

weighing. I had

> > put on 90lbs all by myself by being depressed and eating the

wrong things

> > and overeating obviously and at the wrong times. I'm thinking

if it

> didn't

> > make me gain more weight than I already was at, then it probably

won't do

> > the same thing again. The only reason he didn't put me back on

Prozac to

> > begin with is because I had stopped taking it for about 2 ½

months all by

> > myself and I needed something to work quick –hence Effexor XR.

What the

> > hell must have I been thinking.

> >

> > Sandi

> >

>

September 13, 2003

That's good advice. I'm past all that (age 51), so it's not a worry for me!

Thanks for the thoughts,

Sharon

On 9/13/03 10:54 AM, " cla517 " <cla517@...> wrote:

> One thing about St. 's Wort. Some studies have linked it to

> decreased effectiveness of the birth control pill. If this is a

> concern for you, be careful.

September 13, 2003

Hey cla517,

Thanks for the advice but no worries in that area.

-S

Re: St. 's Wort

One thing about St. 's Wort. Some studies have linked it to

decreased effectiveness of the birth control pill. If this is a

concern for you, be careful.

>

> > Well Sharon… this might be the cocktail for you. I hope you

don't mind I

> > keep up with your progress on the Lexapro for at least the next

5 days or

> > so. I'm sure that's about how long it will take before the

first crying

> > spell kicks in gear. Especially since I am already having

random crying

> > spells with 150mg a day and the Dr. knows this. He's expecting

a call

> from

> > me in the next 7-10 days he said, but I'm going to give it my

best shot.

> I

> > had even thought about maybe trying to replace the need for

serotonin with

> > that over the counter stuff St. 's Wort. Anyone????? I

know, it's

> > probably NOT going to be what I need, wishful thinking, a girl

can dream,

> > since I have to be on something for the rest of my life. Oh

well, so far

> > the research today says that I will go with either Prozac 40mg a

day,

> enough

> > to curb the appetite or give Lexapro a shot. I was on Prozac

for 12 years

> > and I can't say that I gained anymore than I was already

weighing. I had

> > put on 90lbs all by myself by being depressed and eating the

wrong things

> > and overeating obviously and at the wrong times. I'm thinking

if it

> didn't

> > make me gain more weight than I already was at, then it probably

won't do

> > the same thing again. The only reason he didn't put me back on

Prozac to

> > begin with is because I had stopped taking it for about 2 ½

months all by

> > myself and I needed something to work quick –hence Effexor XR.

What the

> > hell must have I been thinking.

> >

> > Sandi

> >

>

March 5, 2007

In a message dated 3/5/2007 7:42:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, gldcst@... writes:

Hi Carol, St 's Wort has been touted by "naturalists" for years and I know alot of parents have been tempted to try it with their autistic kids (including me) in place of SSRIs however it's important for anyone considering it to remember that it acts much like the old MAO antidepressants and requires the accompanying dietary restrictions which can be a pain in the you know what. There was alot of talk about it years back on the autie lists till some doctors pointed this out. I'm not sure if it can be dangerous without the accompanying diet or simply inefffective. I do know some moms who claimed to have been helped by it tho...so who knows? certainly not me:-)

Sherry,

I don't use it at all and not even considering using it, it was just part of the whole page of info that I was sending through. :-)

TrishasmomShe isn't typical, She's Trisha!AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

March 5, 2007

This was supposed to go thru before the last post about tyramine so I'm resending it

Hi Carol, St 's Wort has been touted by "naturalists" for years and I know alot of parents have been tempted to try it with their autistic kids (including me) in place of SSRIs however it's important for anyone considering it to remember that it acts much like the old MAO antidepressants and requires the accompanying dietary restrictions which can be a pain in the you know what. There was alot of talk about it years back on the autie lists till some doctors pointed this out. I'm not sure if it can be dangerous without the accompanying diet or simply inefffective. I do know some moms who claimed to have been helped by it tho...so who knows? certainly not me:-)Sherry

August 20, 2007

Thanks for the feedback, Tom--

I think that this is the way to go for me right now, and I have checked about it being safe for me to take. It seems to be appropriate for my situation.

Again, thanks.

Amy

> > "How would you describe St. 's Wort's effect on you (although I > know these things affect each person in a different way)? Is there a > settling in period with that?"> > First of all, a few things you need to know:> > 1) The FDA has no opinion on whether or not it works or is safe.> > 2) The manufacturers may or may not be reliable in terms of making > sure that the active ingredient is there in the amount that it > purports to be.> > 3) St. s Wort could cause vision problems if taken non-stop in > mass quantities for years.> > 4) In non-FDA studies and in European studies, St. 's has been > shown to have a positive effect on patience with minor and mild > depression and anxiety, but little effect on those with deep anxiety > and depression. > > I would take only one pill a day for starters for a couple weeks and > see what happens.> > There is no Jekyll and Hyde reaction to taking these pills. To be > honest, the first day, I felt a sort of mild stomach ache. But as > time went on, I felt a lessening of stress and an increase in my > ability to laugh and see the humor in things. > > When I took it regularly, I was generally less depressed, generally > less anxious, and depression and axiety were blunted, meaning I did > not feel them as much or for as long. > > The advantage to St. 's over some sort of drug is that drugs tend > to elimate feelings entirely or overcompensate for them. I prefer to > feel my feelings and have a limited degree of control over them. > > Three opinions: > > 1) St. s may dry you out a little, so drink a lot of water.> 2) Stop if you feel anything adverse.> 3) Make sure that if you are on any medication that you check with > your doctor before using St. s. > > Tom> Administrator>

September 4, 2008

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/photos/bile\

k/perforate-st-john%27s-wort-0235.jpg & imgrefurl=http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/pe\

rforate-st-john%27s-wort:hypericum-perforatum-photo-5900.html & h=570 & w=379 & sz=121\

& hl=en & start=8 & usg=__eJOCrPTKK2HEHCOiLTOfoaFb3tI= & tbnid=JHhr5w51x8uHIM: & tbnh=134\

& tbnw=89 & prev=/images%3Fq%3Dst%2Bjohns%2Bwort%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26ie%3DUTF-8

Here's what I think is a great picture.? I'd be surprised if you could find any

blooming now, though.? It's more of a July-ish bloomer in NY.

Beth

www.SoapAndGarden.com

St. 's Wort

Can someone please send me a good photo of what St. 's wort looks

like??

I would love to infuse some but I haven't a clue what I'm truely

looking for out in the fields.

The photo that is in the files is just not a good one that I posted.

Thanks,

Cheryl

September 4, 2008

>

> Can someone please send me a good photo of what St. 's wort looks

> like??

Cheryl, The picture Beth sent is a great picture. On Wikipedia there

is a section on how to identify SJW. (Also, if the flowers don't stain

your fingers, it's not the right plant.) It has finished flowering here

for this year. I start looking for it around the middle of June and

find it until about the end of July.

September 5, 2008

,

Does the St. 's Wort like a specific area, soil, sun, etc.? Where

would we be most likely to find it? Will it grow in a WNY garden? Sorry

for so many questions.

Jeanine

Jeanine's Hummingbird Soap Works

Re: St. 's Wort

>

> Can someone please send me a good photo of what St. 's wort looks

> like??

Cheryl, The picture Beth sent is a great picture. On Wikipedia there

is a section on how to identify SJW. (Also, if the flowers don't stain

your fingers, it's not the right plant.) It has finished flowering here

for this year. I start looking for it around the middle of June and

find it until about the end of July.

September 5, 2008

, Does the St. 's Wort like a specific area, soil, sun,

etc.? Where would we be most likely to find it? Will it grow in a

WNY garden? Jeanine

Hi Jeanine, I always find it in fields in the sun. Of course, it

never grows all together in the wild. You might see one plant and

another 10 yards away, but most of the time if you find one plant,

there will be lots more in the same general area.

I think WNY is zone 5 which is -20 to -10 range and NNY is zone 6.

Given SJW's hardiness here in zone 5, I would imagine it would grow

in either. I used to have it in my garden for convenience of

harvesting, but it is quite a stragly looking plant (imo) and never

comes back in the exact same spot, so I'm happy to wildcraft it.

Also, it starts blooming at a nice time to be outside (mid June). In

a good year, like this one, if I find it in abundance, I will cut

several stems and put them in water on my deck in the sun and pluck

the new flowers every morning to add to the infusion. The buds will

keep opening for about a week. I'm sure no one else picks SJW where

I pick it, but I'm still concerned about ethical wildcrafting.

If you don't find it, come east for a visit and I'll take you to my

fields (not on my property, but easily accessible and away from

traffic). I never pick from roadsides because the plants absorb the

pollution from vehicles.

Hope your hubby is doing well now. Enjoy the fall!

September 5, 2008

,

Thank you for the info: re: St. 's Wort. I wish we were still at the

lake in the summers. Had all the fields and streams to hike through and

find all of the natural goodies. I'll just have to familiarize myself with

what it looks like and start hiking again.

Thanks for asking about , he's 'hangin' in'