St. John’s wort is a perennial plant that can grow to a height of 80 cm (32 inches). It is a flowering shrub that can be found all over the world. It has glandular leaves and yellow petals with flowering tops. These flowers contain red juice that has healing properties.

This herb is bitter, astringent, cooling, diuretic, emmenagogic, and has anti-depressant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, vulnerary, and antispasmodic properties.

St. John’s wort works well on any area where there are many nerve endings. The petals contain oil glands that store hypericin. Hypericin has anti-viral healing properties.

St. John’s wort is useful against spinal problems, aging problems, joint pain, skin problems such as eczema, shooting pains, cravings, and trauma. The herb is also effective against stomachache, headache, concussion, toothache, colic, anemia, insomnia, burns, wounds, and sores. It can be used for sleepiness, depression, menstrual problems, uterine cramping, breast cancer, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, diabetes, ear infections, AIDS, and vitiligo.

May cause upset stomach, restlessness, fatigue, and mild allergic reactions.

The herb may sensitize the skin to sunlight, may cause sudden attacks of high blood pressure, and may intensify the effects of anesthesia (during surgery).

St. John’s wort may cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage in pregnant women. Do not use this herb with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) drugs such as Fluoxetine, AIDS medication, or oral contraceptives. Avoid long exposure to sunlight.

The word wort refers to any plant that is used medicinally. The plant blooms near June 24th and got its name because this day is also known as St. John’s day (after John the Baptist) in the Church calendar.

The herb is grown worldwide.

Leaves and flowers.

Tea, tincture, and ointment.