St John's Wort (Hypericum) is a very easy-going perennial plant. This is why it has long been a garden favourite. There are numerous horticultural varieties with diverse characteristics: from shrubby types like St John's Wort 'Hidcote' to ground-covering varieties like Greek St John's Wort. Wild species are equally noteworthy and thrive in various habitats, such as woodlands or marshes. However, only one species, common St John's Wort, interests us for its benefits.
In herbal medicine, the use of St John's Wort dates back over 2000 years. Traditionally used for burns and other skin irritations, St John's Wort is now believed to help combat mild to moderate depression.
Discover our tips on how to dry and use this plant.
Which St John's Wort to use?
The only St John's Wort used for therapeutic purposes is common St John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum. Its name means 'the herb with a thousand holes'. Indeed, when held up to the light, its leaves appear perforated with numerous tiny holes, which are actually glands containing an essential oil. This St John's Wort is also called St John's Herb, not to be confused with 'Herbes de la Saint-Jean', which refers to various plant species that vary by era and region.
Perforate St John's Wort is a wild herbaceous plant with upright stems, commonly found on embankments and in meadows. Like other species in the Hypericum genus, its five-petalled flowers are bright yellow with very visible stamens. Both flowers and leaves are dotted with small black spots. The botanical species is more discreet than cultivated varieties, which are typically selected for their spectacular flowering. Use a flora – a reference book listing wild species in a given region – to correctly identify the plant you're seeking.
Foliage and flowers of Hypericum perforatum. Top right shows the perforations in the leaves (photo Matt Lavin - Wikimedia)
When to harvest St John's Wort?
In herbal medicine, the flowering tops of St John's Wort are used – the tip of the stem where the numerous small flowers grow, which would be too delicate to pick individually. Therefore, you must wait until the plant is in flower to harvest it.
St John's Wort blooms from June through July. This is the ideal time for harvesting.
On dry days, use secateurs to cut the flowering tips of the stems. Choose stems where the flowers have just bloomed and none have begun to wilt. Avoid cutting the stem at the base of the plant, as St John's Wort is a perennial and this could weaken it.
How to dry and store St John's Wort?
St John's Wort should be dried fairly quickly, within hours of harvesting.
First, remove any insects from the flowering stems by gently shaking your harvest.
The simplest drying technique is to form loose bunches, allowing air to circulate and preventing moisture from being trapped in the centre.
Hang them upside down to dry in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated place.
The plant is dry when it becomes brittle. Store it in an airtight container – a glass jar will do – or a paper bag in a dry place away from light.
Prepare small bunches to hang upside down for drying.
Benefits and uses
Many beliefs are associated with St John's Wort. It was long considered a magical herb capable of warding off evil spirits.
Today, there are two main ways to use St John's Wort: topically to treat skin conditions or orally to relieve mild depression.
Topical skin treatment
You can prepare an oil at home that may help treat burns. To do this, fill a jar with flowering tops and cover them with a vegetable oil (olive or almond). After four weeks of exposure to sunlight, the preparation can be filtered and applied to the skin.
Oral use for depression
Before any herbal treatment for mild depression, it is essential to first consult a healthcare professional specialising in herbal medicine who can guide you towards the best treatment for you.
A St John's Wort treatment may take 2 to 4 weeks before results are observed. Typically, preparations with guaranteed active ingredient content (standardised extract, mother tincture) have largely replaced herbal tea. However, you can make infusions at home. For dosage, seek advice from a professional.
Additionally, as with all depression treatments, dosage should be reduced gradually.
St John's Wort tea is made from dried flowers. On the right, an oil made from fresh St John's Wort flowers.
Advice and precautions
St John's Wort is a plant to be used with great caution.
Drug interactions and others
Firstly, drug interactions are numerous and can have significant consequences. St John's Wort may interact with over 70 substances, so extreme caution is advised.
The effects of certain medications could be altered by taking St John's Wort. These include, among many others, drugs for heart conditions, anticoagulants, antidepressants, and oral contraceptives.
Furthermore, St John's Wort may also interact with many other plants, including valerian, ginkgo, or passionflower.
Valerian officinalis flowers (Valeriana officinalis), Ginkgo biloba leaves, and passionflower
Side effects
Additionally, in some individuals, particularly those with fair skin, St John's Wort may cause photosensitivity, meaning a reaction to sunlight or UV rays resulting in redness, itching, and irritation.
Discouraged use
St John's Wort is also not recommended for people with bipolar disorder as it may trigger manic episodes.
This plant is not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women or children.
As you can see, St John's Wort is a particularly tricky plant to use.
As always, and especially here, it is crucial to seek professional advice and disclose any treatments you are taking to avoid complications.
To learn more about growing St John's Wort, read our articles:
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