St John'swort, topically.

Poor St John'swort. Pigeon-holed by the popular press as an 'herbal anti-depressant' (which it's not, really, except when it it is, sorta, although not how you'd think), it has so much more to offer!

Among other things, it's antiviral, it's a liver herb, it's a nerve healer and it's cheering. For so many issues we humans come up against, some small and irritating, some large and life-altering, St J is often the answer.

Here is a case study from the 'large and life altering' category, from someone near and dear to me. Well, not all that near, as she is now living thousands of miles away .. but certainly dear, as she's my sister!

Here's Catherine's story, in her own words ..




"More than three years ago, I was injured in a rather spectacular traffic accident.

I suffered a compound fracture to my right wrist, which in layman’s terms means the bones were sticking through the skin. I had emergency surgery that night and a second one a couple of weeks later.

Part of my radius bone was replaced by what I think looks like a fork.

(I’m happy to report this fork does not set off
the metal detector at airport security.)

I did 18 months of physiotherapy to restore my range of motion and rebuild strength. I made a lot of progress, but had to come to the realization that I would be living with a certain amount of pain for the rest of my days. I avoid pain medication and muddle along quite well. However, every once in a while I overwork my arm and the pain flares until it is a burning sensation shooting up to my shoulder. 

My last flareup, in May, was particularly bad. I tried a few appointments with my chiropractor, who has given me relief in the past. The pain got worse. I spent $400 on acupuncture treatments, to no avail. That’s when Christine stepped in and recommended I try oil of St. John’s wort. I had never heard of it, but I respect the knowledge my sister has spent years accumulating and bought some that very day.

The oil is reddish in colour with a light earthy scent I have come to love. I noticed nothing when I first rubbed it in, because this elixir works slowly and steadily on the underlying inflammation. Two hours later, however, I noticed a significant drop in pain. I used it three times times a day for several weeks. The moment of truth came when I woke up one morning on my right-hand side. For months it had been too painful to sleep on my right.

If you would like to try this and don’t have any St. John’s wort on hand, Vogel makes a suspension in sunflower oil for less than $20 a bottle. The label gives no hint of what it can do for chronic pain. “Used traditionally to treat minor inflammation of the skin, blunt injuries, wounds and burns.”

I now apply the oil in the morning and at night (except for the days when I forget because I am pain-free.) Thank you, Christine. With my pain level reduced, I can focus on enjoying my life here on Canada’s West Coast."