Botanical atlas
Square-stalked St. John's Wort
Hypericum tetrapterum
Square-stalked St. John's Wort has long lived in the shadow of its famous relation, common St. John's Wort, but country herbalists in damp corners of Europe gathered it just the same, especially where the ground was too wet for its sun-loving cousin to thrive. Its golden flowers were pressed into oil on cottage windowsills for generations, turning the oil a deep ruby red, and rubbed onto minor skin troubles, bruises, and burns. Old English herbals sometimes listed it under the name St. Peter's Wort, tying it to the same midsummer lore and saint's day gathering traditions as its more famous kin. Because the two species share much of their chemistry, wherever St. John's Wort grew scarce along a boggy field edge, this quieter wetland cousin often stood in for it.
In tradition.
Square-stalked St. John's Wort has long lived in the shadow of its famous relation, common St. John's Wort, but country herbalists in damp corners of Europe gathered it just the same, especially where the ground was too wet for its sun-loving cousin to thrive. Its golden flowers were pressed into oil on cottage windowsills for generations, turning the oil a deep ruby red, and rubbed onto minor skin troubles, bruises, and burns. Old English herbals sometimes listed it under the name St. Peter's Wort, tying it to the same midsummer lore and saint's day gathering traditions as its more famous kin. Because the two species share much of their chemistry, wherever St. John's Wort grew scarce along a boggy field edge, this quieter wetland cousin often stood in for it.
Traditional preparations.
A traditional topical oil, made from the fresh ruby-red flowering tops, used on the skin for minor irritation and after sun exposure.
Traditionally, freshly picked flowering tops are packed loosely into a clean, dry glass jar, covered completely with olive oil, and left on a sunny windowsill for 2 to 4 weeks, shaking gently each day, until the oil turns deep red. The oil is then strained through cloth and stored in a dark glass bottle.
A gentle infusion traditionally sipped occasionally for low mood or a restless mind, taken sparingly given its known interactions.
Traditionally, a tea is made by steeping 1 teaspoon of the dried flowering tops in 250 ml of just-boiled water for 10 minutes, taken no more than once daily and not alongside other medications.
Safety.
Like Hypericum perforatum, this plant contains hypericin and hyperforin, which can cause photosensitivity and interact with many medications, including antidepressants, blood thinners, oral contraceptives, and immunosuppressants. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and don't combine it with other mood-affecting medications.
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Ask about Square-stalked St. John's WortHerbSense shares traditional herbal knowledge for education, not diagnosis or treatment. Herbs can interact with medicines and conditions. Speak with your doctor before acting on anything here, and seek care promptly for anything severe, sudden, or worsening.