St. John’s wort oleolite: a natural resource for our four-legged friends

Hypericum perforatum, better known as St. John’s Wort or Tutsan, is one of the most studied and well-known medicinal plants for its effects: topical soothing and healing, and oral antidepressant.

The first researcher to study it was Professor Norman Robson in 1968, who was fascinated by its morphology.

Of this perennial plant, belonging to the Hypericaceae family, the flowering tops are used for medicinal preparations, as they are rich in a phyto-complex characterized by the active principles hypericin and hyperforin.

The supportive functions that St. John’s Wort performs in anti-inflammatory therapies for human skin can be a valuable aid in treating dermatitis in domestic animals.

Dogs, in particular, may suffer from allergic and atopic dermatitis, with the appearance of small flaking patches, mainly located on the joints of the paws, and annoying itching. As furry friends begin to lick the affected areas, they only increase inflammation, worsening the dermatitis condition.

Applying an ointment or an oleolite based on St. John’s Wort can be an easy and immediate way to provide relief and expedite the healing of our four-legged friends.

The oleolite is nothing more than an oily solution in which the active principles of a medicinal plant are dissolved in a vegetable oil through a prolonged immersion and maceration process.

In pets, the topical use of St. John’s Wort oleolite can be done through compresses with cotton pads soaked in the oleolite itself and gently secured around our furry friend’s paw with simple paper or fabric tape.

To prevent ingestion by licking, it’s sufficient to prepare and leave the compress to act during the night hours, avoiding the dog from being bothered by the dressing and making the absorption of the active ingredients more effective.

For those familiar with oleolite use, it’s possible to use St. John’s Wort oleolite as a carrier for a few drops of antiseptic and healing essential oils, such as Lavandula angustifolia, or enhance its soothing efficacy by combining it with Calendula (Calendula officinalis) oleolite.

There is also the option to add the oleolite to a cream, which, due to its denser consistency, will be even easier to apply on the skin.

The preparation is quite simple:

• Purchase a 50 gram pack of basic cream from a pharmacy or parapharmacy, which, in addition to serving as an excellent moisturizer, is suitable for assimilating other liquid and oily compounds.
• Transfer the contents of the package to a container suitable for mixing the various additional components.
• Add a tablespoon (10 grams) of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) oleolite or a teaspoon of it (5 grams), and a teaspoon of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) oleolite (5 grams).
• Mix with a spatula or a tip-free knife until all elements are fully incorporated.

Now, experience the many virtues of St. John’s Wort for humans and…furry ones!

MICHELA CLEMENTE