We found St John’s Wort growing in our garden. After a bit of research, we set about making a tincture for ourselves, picking the blossoms and steeping in vodka. The flowers when crushed stain your hands red, as well as the vodka, giving a light wine colour, like a very light Pinot Noir. Whilst the oil smells a little like cheese, the tincture gives me hints of aniseed.
<!–more– Read on>I like to add a few drops in a glass of water or tea when feeling particularly fatigued after a long day in the garden or vineyard, with a noticeably quick lessening of symptoms. It’s a nice go to when feeling tired, or a little low – like when we realised how water logged the vineyard is and how much work is ahead of us.
St John’s Wort tincture is traditionally associated with easing mild to moderate depression, particularly related to serotonin levels, anxiety, fatigue, melancholy, irritability, decreased energy and insomnia, and the list goes on. I suspect it is a tonic of variety, doing something slightly different for each person.
As part of our Pumpjack & Piddle wick shop, we’ve bottled it in 50ml and 100ml sizes, with dropper, offering for others to make make the most of.
Pumpjack & Piddlewick 