Herb of the week: St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Walking along the edge of the forest, in the sunnier parts, we can already come across the dark yellow star-flowered St. John's wort that is about to bloom. We will see it in its full glory around the summer solstice, but let's note down now where we will go to collect it later. A little magic also plays a role in its identification: if you turn its simple leaf towards the sun, small yellow spots will appear on it. These are translucent cells containing its valuable essential oil. This is where it got its folk name : grass with holes in its leaves.

In ancient times and the Middle Ages, St. John's wort was also attributed with other magical powers, not only for its medicinal properties. It was hung above shrines to ward off evil, and in later times it was placed under the pillow so that their sleep would not be disturbed by forces thought to be witchcraft.

For internal use, the processed version is recommended in the form of drops or tinctures to relieve symptoms of depression, but the effects can be expected weeks later. However, it is important to know that St. John's wort, when consumed, modifies the absorption of certain medications, so consult your doctor before using it (it is specifically contraindicated in the case of heart medication and contraceptives for this reason).

Therefore, as a home remedy, we should only use its healing effects externally, for example, to compress difficult-to-heal wounds, or as a medicinal oil for mild sunburn.

When collecting it, it is worth considering the general basic rules described here. We collect the upper 40 cm of fully blooming plant and then process them the same day, depending on what we will use them for.

If you consume St. John's wort, always consult your doctor and keep in mind that it causes photosensitivity and should not be consumed by pregnant women.

Next time I will be arriving during the week with the recipe for St. John's wort medicinal oil!

Feel free to contact me for individual herbal advice Holistic Therapeutic Recommendation! 

Important! Making a diagnosis based on symptoms indicating illness is a medical task. Even in the case of an existing medical diagnosis, the information on this page does not qualify as a treatment recommendation. In any case, ask your doctor for his opinion!