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St. John’s Wort – Also known as Sol Terrestris

St. John's wort, flowers (Photo: Pernilla Gäverth)

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By Pernilla Gäverth

March 29, 2025
3:23 pm
Los Angeles, CA

Botanical name: Hypericum perforatum Family: Hypericaceae, Hypericum Energetics: Warming, drying, sweet, and bitter Parts used: leaf, flower Constituents: Hyperforin, Hypericin, Hyperside, Essential Oil, Tannins, Flavonoids, Resins, Glycosides, Carotenes, Pectin, Hyproside and more Actions: Trophorestorative, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, healing, diuretic, anti-viral, vulnerary, antiolytic, nervine, disinfectant, relaxant, digestive, neuroprotective, hepatic, alterative, anodyne, exhilerant Pant preparations: Tea, tincture, elixer, oil, topical ointments St. John’s wort is a member of the genus Hypericum, of which there are 400 species worldwide, and a member of the St. John’s wort family, Hypericaceae. Folklore and History of Use From the time of the ancient Greeks down through the Middle Ages, the plant was considered to be imbued with magical powers and was used to ward off evil and protect against disease. As a practical folk-remedy, it

Botanical name: Hypericum perforatum
Family: Hypericaceae, Hypericum
Energetics: Warming, drying, sweet, and bitter
Parts used: leaf, flower

Constituents: Hyperforin, Hypericin, Hyperside, Essential Oil, Tannins, Flavonoids, Resins, Glycosides, Carotenes, Pectin, Hyproside and more

Actions: Trophorestorative, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, healing, diuretic, anti-viral, vulnerary, antiolytic, nervine, disinfectant, relaxant, digestive, neuroprotective, hepatic, alterative, anodyne, exhilerant

Pant preparations: Tea, tincture, elixer, oil, topical ointments

St. John’s wort is a member of the genus Hypericum, of which there are 400 species worldwide, and a member of the St. John’s wort family, Hypericaceae.

Folklore and History of Use

From the time of the ancient Greeks down through the Middle Ages, the plant was considered to be imbued with magical powers and was used to ward off evil and protect against disease. As a practical folk-remedy, it has been used widely to heal wounds, remedy kidney troubles, and alleviate nervous disorders, even insanity.

Historically, Saint John’s wort was harvested on Saint John’s day and believed to ward off evil spirits. Externally, it was applied in Mideval times to sword or knife wounds as part of a regimen for analgesic, healing, and disinfectant purposes. Also, it was chosen to assist children and teens through the trials and tribulations of growing up. It is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Guan Ye Lian Qiao and was and is selected to address stagnation of qi in the liver meridian with the hope of clearing heat, inflammation, wind, and dampness. In Hindi, Saint John’s wort was named choli phulya and is prepared as a topical tissue and hair restorative.

St John’s wort is believed to give a person courage, protection, and help a person detect other magicians. It was perceived as a symbol of immortality by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, also viewed it as a symbol of nobility and victory. It can be used to help a person face their fears and conquer them. Being golden yellow like the sun, it is viewed as shedding light in dark places and nourishing the soul back to its place in the sun.

Macerating the flowers in oil yields a red sedative, analgesic rub that can help to alleviate neuralgia. St John’s Wort can be used as a homeopathic remedy to help heal post-surgery, cuts and wounds.

The 17th century English herbalist, Culpeper, wrote, “The decoction of the herb and flowers… is [also] good for those that are bitten or stung by any venomous creature.”
In the Christian tradition, St. John represents light, hence the flowers were taken as a reminder of the sun’s bounty.

St. St. John’s wort was used in early pre-Christian religious practices in England, and it has many legends written about it. Because of its bright yellow color, it was often associated with the sun and was often used for purposes of divination–for every situation from longevity to test one’s chances for matrimony.

The favor St. John’s wort enjoyed is well expressed in the following old English poem:

”St. John’s wort doth charm all the witches away.
If gathered at midnight on the saint’s holy day.
And devils and witches have no power to harm
Those that do gather the plant for a charm:
Rub the lintels and post with that red juicy flower
No thunder nor tempest will then have the power
To hurt or to hinder your houses: and bind
Round your neck a charm of a similar kind.”

St. John’s Wort contains a range of antioxidant compounds that have been shown to have a significant impact on the hormonal, physical, and chemical behavior of the body. By eliminating chronic stress hormones in the body the herb can help improve overall health, cognitive function, and the negative effects stress can have on the body and health.

The fresh leaves can be tossed in salads and the fresh flowers can be used as edible garnish in salads.

The herb can be used externally to treat skin conditions from eczema, to psoriasis, to minor wounds and burns. The herb has powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal properties.

St. John’s wort is native to Europe, West Asia, North Africa, Madeira and the Azores, and is naturalized in many parts of the world, notably North America and Australia.

Today, modern herbalists still use St. John’s wort for many of the same conditions for which it has been recommended throughout the ages and many commercial preparations are available either as an oil or a standardized liquid or powdered extract. In Europe, these preparations are commonly prescribed by medical doctors for burns, ulcers and nervous disorders, especially mild depression.

I really enjoy St John´s wort as a tea or infusion!

Enjoy the wonders of nature!