Botanical atlas
St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
St. John's Wort takes its name from St. John the Baptist, since its cheerful yellow flowers open right around his feast day in late June. For centuries, European folk healers pressed the fresh buds into oil until it turned a deep, wine red, calling it the blood of St. John, and rubbed it on cuts, burns, and aching joints. Bundles of the flowering herb were hung over doorways and windows on Midsummer's Eve, believed to ward off illness and bad luck through the darkest turn of the year. Herbalists have long turned to it as a gentle companion for the low spirits and restless nerves that seem to settle in when the days grow short.
In tradition.
St. John's Wort takes its name from St. John the Baptist, since its cheerful yellow flowers open right around his feast day in late June. For centuries, European folk healers pressed the fresh buds into oil until it turned a deep, wine red, calling it the blood of St. John, and rubbed it on cuts, burns, and aching joints. Bundles of the flowering herb were hung over doorways and windows on Midsummer's Eve, believed to ward off illness and bad luck through the darkest turn of the year. Herbalists have long turned to it as a gentle companion for the low spirits and restless nerves that seem to settle in when the days grow short.
Traditional preparations.
The classic red oil, traditionally massaged into minor skin irritations, bruises, and sore muscles.
Loosely pack a clean, dry jar with fresh flowering tops and cover completely with olive oil. Set on a sunny windowsill for 2 to 4 weeks, shaking gently each day, then strain through cheesecloth once the oil has turned a deep ruby red.
A mild infusion traditionally sipped in the evening to ease occasional low mood and nervous tension.
Steep 1 teaspoon of the dried flowering tops in 250 ml of just-boiled water for 10 minutes, then strain.
Safety.
St. John's Wort speeds up how the liver clears many drugs, weakening hormonal birth control, blood thinners like warfarin, antidepressants, and immunosuppressants. Combined with SSRIs or other serotonin-affecting medicines it can cause serotonin syndrome, and it can increase sun sensitivity. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and don't combine it with other medications without medical advice.
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Ask about 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.