St Johns Wort Benefits & Uses (Hypericum perforatum)

St Johns wort has traditionally been used to support:

• Infused herbal oils
• Seasonal midsummer preparations
• Traditional flowering-top tinctures
• Household botanical blends
• Classic European herbal practice

St Johns wort has a long association with midsummer harvests and European folk traditions where the flowering tops were gathered for oils, tinctures, and household preparations. It remains one of the classic herbs of seasonal botanical practice and old herbal literature.

St Johns wort can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Infused Oil

Fresh or freshly wilted flowering tops are commonly infused into oil for traditional external herbal preparations.

Herbal Tea *

The dried flowering tops may be steeped in hot water to prepare a traditional herbal infusion.

• refer to Safety Information

Tincture

The flowering tops may be extracted in alcohol for use in concentrated herbal preparations.

Salve or Balm

Infused oil may be combined with beeswax to create a traditional herbal balm for external applications.

Herbal Infusion

The flowering tops may be steeped in hot water to create a traditional herbal infusion. This preparation has been referenced in European herbal traditions, although it is not considered a general-use herbal tea.

St Johns wort is a hardy perennial herb that grows upright and produces bright yellow flowers through the warm season. It can adapt to a range of garden conditions and is often grown in informal herb plantings and dry borders.

• Prefers full sun to light partial shade
• Grows best in well-drained soil
• Tolerates dry conditions once established
• Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4-9 in the United States
• Commonly grown in temperate regions and sunny open sites

Once established, St Johns wort may spread gradually and can naturalize in some areas if conditions are favorable.

St Johns wort has a long history of traditional use in herbal preparations, however it is one of the herbs most commonly associated with significant interactions with medications.

However:

• St Johns wort is known to influence liver enzymes involved in drug metabolism, which may alter how many medications are processed in the body.
• It may reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, including oral contraceptives, antidepressants, anticoagulants, transplant medications, and other prescription drugs.
• Use alongside other mood-related supplements or medications may increase the likelihood of unwanted effects and should be approached with caution.
• St Johns wort may increase sensitivity to sunlight in some individuals, potentially leading to skin irritation or photosensitivity reactions.
• Individuals with existing health conditions or those taking regular medications should use particular caution when considering herbal preparations containing St Johns wort.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal preparations.
• Always consult a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist before using St Johns wort alongside any prescription medication.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.