1 cup unopened yellow St. John's wort buds 2 cups light olive oil 1/2 tsp lavendar essential oil, optional Place the unwashed flower buds in a glass jar Cover with olive oil and set in full sun Allow to steep for at least 1 month, shaking the jar occasionally to ensure buds are covered in oil When oil is deep red and smells of raspberry jam, strain through a piece of fine cotton cloth (men's handkerchief, old sheet, or piece of muslin), squeezing to extract as much oil as possible Add lavendar oil, if desired Store in covered glass jars or mix with beeswax for a salve Apply directly to the skin for nervous tissue damage, bruises, sore muscles, inflammation, burns, including sunburn, ulcers and sores.