Botanical atlas
St. Paul's Wort
Siegesbeckia orientalis
In Chinese herbal medicine, Siegesbeckia orientalis has long been known as Xi Xian Cao, a bitter, cooling herb gathered at the height of summer and traditionally simmered into decoctions for aching, swollen joints and the deep stiffness old healers called wind-damp obstruction. Village herbalists from southern China to the Pacific Islands also turned to its crushed leaves as a poultice for sores, insect bites, and irritated skin. In French folk medicine it traveled under the name Herbe de Saint-Paul, used in much the same spirit, as a humble roadside remedy for gout and rheumatic complaints. It has never been a garden favorite so much as a hedgerow helper, the kind of plant healers learned to recognize growing wild and gathered as needed.
In tradition.
In Chinese herbal medicine, Siegesbeckia orientalis has long been known as Xi Xian Cao, a bitter, cooling herb gathered at the height of summer and traditionally simmered into decoctions for aching, swollen joints and the deep stiffness old healers called wind-damp obstruction. Village herbalists from southern China to the Pacific Islands also turned to its crushed leaves as a poultice for sores, insect bites, and irritated skin. In French folk medicine it traveled under the name Herbe de Saint-Paul, used in much the same spirit, as a humble roadside remedy for gout and rheumatic complaints. It has never been a garden favorite so much as a hedgerow helper, the kind of plant healers learned to recognize growing wild and gathered as needed.
Traditional preparations.
A simple simmered preparation traditionally used for occasional stiffness in the joints, following the old herbalist's practice of gently coaxing the bitter compounds out of the tough, dried stems.
Traditionally, about 1 teaspoon of the dried, cut herb is simmered gently in 250 ml of water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strained before drinking.
Safety.
Fresh St. Paul's wort has sticky, glandular hairs that can irritate sensitive skin, so handle it with care. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding hasn't been established, and it shouldn't be combined with liver or blood pressure medication without guidance.
Our sister app HerbLens identifies st. paul's wort from a photo and keeps its full botanical portrait: growing guide, harvest notes, and look-alike warnings.
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Ask about St. Paul'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.