From preparation to use

First of all: harvest at the right time

If you are looking for a high content of active ingredients, you should harvest the St. John's wort at the right time and then dry it. To the Heyday, which usually begins towards the end of June, the active ingredient content is the highest. Then it's harvest time!

It's fast when you have one Secateurs or one sickle for the harvest use. It all depends on how many plants you want to harvest! Cut Remove the herb just above the ground. Alternatively, you can just collect the flowers.

Clean and bundle before drying

Before it starts to dry, the St. John's wort should be cleaned of debris or other dirt. Don't do this under a jet of water! The water removes aromas from the herb. If you want the St. John's wort to air dry, do not cut it, but tie it together in bundles with a rope.

Where and how is the best way to dry the herb?

In general, St. John's wort should always be dried gently. This means that it should not be exposed to direct sunlight or temperatures above 40 ° C. Drying devices and open ovens are suitable for drying. But the herb also dries well in the air.

You can hang the bundles upside down in a dark (shady) and airy place like the attic. It takes about 2 weeks to dry. The collected flowers can also be easily spread open and dried on a baking sheet or newspaper, for example.

Uses for the dried St. John's wort

The dried herb or You can use the flowers for various preparations and healing purposes. Here are a few suggestions:

• for tea
• for smoking
• for the production of ointments
• for the preparation of tinctures
• for smoothies
• as a herbal spice for salads, soups and stews