Herbal medicine has a rich history spanning over 7,000 years. Archaeological discoveries, such as herbs found in tombs alongside acupuncture tools, highlight the longstanding significance of these practices. In many cultures, herbs are intertwined with spirituality, believed to possess the soul and spirit of Mother Earth or God. The roots of modern medicine can be traced back to the extraction of active principles from plants, with the split between herbal and orthodox medicine often dated to 1785 [1].
Today, herbalism is a versatile practice that can be effectively combined with modern medicine, enhancing the healing process. When used correctly, herbs alone can be powerful healers. Their unique properties apply to both humans and animals, supporting regeneration of damaged tissue, boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and enhancing metabolic functions [2].
Each herb is a complex chemical factory, containing thousands of chemicals with various biological activities. It is crucial to respect each plant's basic qualities and study how they complement and interact with each other [2]. While generally safe, herbs should be dosed accurately to avoid toxicity. Dosages found for humans can be adjusted by weight for animals.
Low doses administered consistently can treat chronic conditions or reset an unhealthy metabolism, while high doses can address acute symptoms. Herbs can be used fresh, dried, or processed into extracts and oils for oral, topical, or aromatic applications.
In this blog series, I will share information from my primary learning sources, personal experiences, and available articles. I encourage readers to add references, experiences, or information in the comments to enrich the content. At our stable, a dedicated group is harvesting and drying local herbs, available for purchase at Fair to Horses. I'll start with locally available herbs and expand to those available online from reliable sources.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
I begin with St. John’s Wort, soon available as infused oil from me.
A Spark of Legend
St. John’s Wort is named for its tendency to bloom around June 24th, St. John the Baptist's birthday. The Hypericum flowers I offer are from Sicily, collected by my father from the countryside. Traditionally, this plant was believed to have magical powers and was used to ward off evil spirits. It is said to grow abundantly in places needing energy elevation, often sites of past suffering. My father found them near an old mine where many workers lost their lives, a place of immense suffering.
Hypericum Properties
The medical uses of Hypericum are extensive. It can be used fresh, as a tincture, or as an infused oil.
Properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antiseptic
- Antiviral
General applications:
- Mental Health: Helps with depression, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia by acting on the nervous system.
- Physical Health: Assists with menopause, menstrual cramps, cuts, bruises, burns, nerve and muscle pain, ulcers, gastritis, toxin removal, arthritis, and respiratory diseases [3].
As Infused Oil:
- Topical Use: Applied to wounds, burns, and skin injuries to promote healing.
- Pain Relief: Alleviates nerve and muscle pain when massaged into the skin.
For Horses:
Note: St. John’s Wort is poisonous to horses if ingested.
However, it is excellent when use as infused oil topically on the skin. You can treat wounds or skin problems (rushes, itch, etc...) or as emollient in case of very dried area (i.e. on the bottom of the mane). You can also massage on specific parts to relieve muscle or nerve pain.
A scientific study show that Hypericum oil accelerates wound healing in horses incredibly [4].
In case of anxiety, chronic pain, nerve pain, sarcoids it can be given to horses or dogs orally as a form of CO2 extract.
How to Obtain Hypericum Infused Oil:
You can order the original Sicilian recipe directly from me. My father made it with our own olive oil and Hypericum flowers, left to infuse for 50 days under the Sicilian sun (Figure below left).
Bottles of 100ml are available for 20 EUR (see figure below right). The price was determined by comparing with a biologically sourced pure hypericum oil infused in sunflower oil, which costs 1.2 EUR per 10ml (excluding shipping costs).
While online options exist, many are not purely Hypericum oil and may not be organic. Be cautious of cheap products and choose organic options for safety and efficacy.
Bibliography:
[1] Enriqueta De Guzman, DVM, MS. Western Herbal Medicine: Clinical Applications.
[2] M. Cointreau, E. B. Kavasch and S. Cointreau. Equine herbs and healing
[3] N. Apelian, PhD. The lost book of herbal remedies
[4] E. Giudice et al, Evaluation of wound healing activity of St. John’s Wort in horses, May 2017, Comparative Clinical Pathology 26 (3)
Comentários