How great to find St. John’s in your own backyard… and how nice that it really WILL be a money saver for you. (Sometimes these things are just theoretical!) In addition, I bet you will find that the medicine you make yourself works above and beyond anything you can buy– even if it isn’t as “perfect” or “strong” in the eyes of a microscope. There is just a special something to using your own medicine!

On that note– St. John’s would last as a tea, I would dry it in a dark place with good air circulation (I usually use the top of my fridge, since my kitchen is not that bright, laid out one layer thick on a paper bag, covered loosely with another paper bag) til it’s fully dry but not lifeless. You might have to watch it more than I do since I don’t have any humidity (and thus mold) to contend with where I live. When they’re dry, store in airtight jars or bags, out of the light!

Personally, I would make also a tincture, since dried plant matter has a comparitively short shelf life. I will be lazy and direct you to a recent tincture making post by the wonderful herbalist Kiva Rose:

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/?p=304

She says it all and more, in easy to understand language!

Lastly, you can’t beat St. John’s Wort oil— for pain, swelling, nerve issues, etc. For that I will driect you here:

http://kitchenherbwife.blogspot.com/

Scroll down to the second post and you will see lots of great pics on the sidebar. (:

Best of luck on this adventure!!!! And keep in touch!!!

(: Sasha “Kitchen Witch”

Let me know how the harvesting goes!