The Sunny Power of St. John's wort
Shining its light on the wounds of our bodies and souls
To me, St. John’s wort is the embodiment of the sun, and I’m not the only one, the ancient Celts thought so too. St. John’s wort blends into the background all spring, then suddenly right at the solstice, bright yellow blooms pop up from nowhere. It is another amazingly abundant and bountiful plant, maybe not as abundant and bountiful as dandelion or plantain, but I bet once you start looking, you will find it. John the Baptist’s feast day is June 24, and this plant bears his name because of its association with the solstice. St. John was a wild, holy ascetic who paved the way for Jesus, who John saw as the embodiment of the sun. In old English wort means herb, however, according to herbalist Steven Martyn, Wort means an object that embodies spirit. I find these connections between the plant, the sun, and the Christ fascinating.
St. John’s wort doesn’t have quite as many uses as dandelion, plantain, and nettle and does have more safety concerns, but because of the season, and its fascinating history and spirit, I wanted to introduce you to it.
Identification
St. John’s wort plants usually grow 1-3 feet tall. They have opposite leaves. The leaves are about 3 times longer than they are wide.
There are small translucent pores in the leaves that are most noticeable when you hold the leaves up to the light.
The flowers are bright yellow, have 5 petals and stamens that also radiate outward and look sunny.
How to Harvest
Pick buds or open flowers for medicine, but not flowers that are wilting or dead. You can include a little bit of leafy material, but mainly the flowers. You can sustainably harvest about 50% of flowers from a mature St. John’s wort plant. It is pretty easy to stay below this because the buds open at different times, so if you only harvest from a given plant one time, it’s pretty easy to harvest less than half of the buds.
Food Uses
While writing this, I learned that the leaves and flowers are edible and can be mixed into salads. I have never tried them because I have always gathered them for medicinal use, especially making body oil and salve. However, after my research I plan to try to make some St. John’s wort tea. Because of hypericin, one of the medicinal compounds, it should not be eaten in large quantities or for a long duration of time (over 12 weeks). If you are eating this plant fresh, this would be completely impossible to do because the flowers are so transient. They are usually all gone within a span of 2-3 weeks.
How to Prepare as Medicine
If you are interested in making your own preparation of St. John’s wort tincture or salve, check out these videos. Otherwise, my favorite way to make St. John’s wort oil is to pack a jar with buds, pour organic olive oil until the buds are submerged, then let them sit in a sunny place for a few weeks (at least 3-4, until the oil is dark red). It’s another way to absorb that solar energy and the oil turns deep red. It’s important to use dry buds (like not moist from rain or dew, not all the way dried out) for this or give them a few hours to a day to dry to reduce the risk your oil will go bad.
Medicinal Uses
Heals flesh and nerves
Useful for treating puncture wounds and vaccine injection sites
Clears infection from the body
Relieves depression and seasonal affective disorder
Used for sharp, shooting pains, numbness and tingling
Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, cooling
Useful for shingles, herpes, chicken pox, all viral skin infections
Relieves cold sores
Soothes burns
In traditional Chinese medicine it has been used for:
Vomiting blood
Coughing blood
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Irregular menstrual bleeding
Bleeding from injuries
Jaundice
Mastitis (infection of the breast, usually while breastfeeding)
Sore throat
Urinary tract infection
Pain and swelling of the eye
Pustules
Burns
Rheumatoid arthritis
Wounds and bruises
In ancient Greek medicine it was used for:
Snake bites
Gastrointestinal distress
Menstrual cramping
Depression
Ulcers
Superficial wounds
Burns
Sciatica (nerve pain of the sciatic nerve affecting buttock and back of the leg)
In Islamic traditional medicine it was used for:
Infectious wounds
Burns
Bruises
Sciatica
Scoliosis (topical preparation)
Diuretic (makes you pee)
Induces menstrual period/Inducing abortion
Relieving fever, especially due to malaria
Muscle spasms
Gout
Hemorrhoids
Jaundice
Severe swelling
Kidney stones
Medical Literature
St. John’s wort has been found to have neurologic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-tumor, and slows the spread of blood vessels that feed cancerous cells, preventing the spread to other organ systems.
General: Some animal and clinical studies suggest that two chemicals in St. John’s wort, hyperforin and hypericin, relieve acute and chronic pain and are capable of doing so at low doses.
Gastrointestinal: The best available evidence suggests St. John’s wort is not effective for irritable bowel syndrome.
Skin: St. John’s wort cream was significantly better than placebo at treating eczema. It was also significantly better in the treatment of psoriasis. There are multiple compounds in St. John’s wort that work together to help wounds heal. This occurs in part because they increase the production of cells that repairs skin and connective tissue. It also relieves inflammation, itching, and redness of C-section and episiotomy scars. Pharmacological (drug) research supports the topical use of tinctures, oils, or salves for burns, sunburns, scrapes, bruises, pressure ulcers, muscle aches and other uses. Animal studies showed significant improvement of wound healing.
Neuro: There is a case report of a patient taking St. John’s wort for Trigeminal Neuralgia (a condition that causes severe nerve pain to the face). She had a long wait for an appointment with a neurologist, so decided to take it after some internet research and had significant relief. A story of what happened to one person in an uncontrolled environment is not strong evidence of what would happen for others so more study is needed before this can be recommended as an effective treatment more generally. In animal studies, St. John’s wort counteracted the negative effects of stress on cognitive function. St. John’s wort protected mice from a chemical induced Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, St. John’s wort protected the brain from cell death caused by the proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease. One author found that St. John’s wort had significant antioxidant effect that they thought would be very helpful for elderly patients with depression and degenerative disorders. However, most elderly people in that situation are also on a medication that could be significantly impacted by St. John’s wort.
Cancer: St. John’s wort, specifically, the chemical hyperforin, decreases the growth of animal and human cancer cells including glioma, neuroblastoma, adenoma, mesothelioma, sarcoma, leukemia, breast cancer, and melanoma.
Metabolic: St. John’s wort extract protects the cells in the pancreas that make insulin (beta cells) from inflammatory chemicals called cytokines and can even help them resist the effects of the cytokines. One chemical in St. John’s wort is most helpful for this and another protects cells from the harmful effects of excess sugar and fat in the body. This research suggests that St. John’s wort would be helpful in both the prevention and treatment of diabetes. It was also shown to decrease LDL cholesterol.
Infectious diseases:
St. John’s wort has a significant antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus (research shows it is more effective for gram positive bacteria than gram negative bacteria for any microbiology fans out there, which would fit with helping with wound infections) and multiple kinds of disease causing yeasts and fungi. Studies have also shown St. John’s wort to have anti-parasitic effects against malaria and leishmaniasis (a severe skin infection). It also has antiviral effects against herpes and influenza viruses. In fact, it also relieves the burning, pain, and blistering due to herpes infection. The best available evidence suggests it is not effective for chronic hepatitis C infection or HIV.
Endocrine:
St. John’s wort relieves hot flashes, low libido, and mood and behavioral symptoms of perimenopause and PMS.
Mental Health: St. John’s wort is more effective than placebo and similarly effective to SSRIs (the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants) in mild-moderate depression. In fact, severity of depression and remission rates improved more with St. John’s wort compared to fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil). It also had less side effects than these medications. However, it has not been well-studied in severe depression and has not often been studied for durations longer than 12 weeks. The best available evidence shows that St. John’s wort is not effective for social anxiety disorder.
Substance dependence: St. John’s wort may activate opiate receptors, but does not trigger opiate withdrawal. In animal studies, rats had decreased severity of opiate withdrawal when given St. John’s wort and, in fact, had similar effectiveness to clonidine, a medicine commonly used to treat opiate withdrawal. However, clonidine is used much less commonly now that a medicine called suboxone is more widely available, so the role of St. John’s wort may be less relevant.
Adverse Effects
Taking St. John’s wort by mouth is safe for up to 12 weeks if you are not taking other medications. There is no evidence of liver injury due to St. John’s wort. However, St. John’s wort interacts with many medications and important ones that you definitely should not stop taking if you need them. St. John’s wort weakens the effects of some very important medications such as:
Anti-depressants (SSRIs, SSNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants)
Birth control pills
Cyclosporine (prevents transplant rejection)
Heart medications like digoxin
Chemotherapy medications
Warfarin (blood thinner)
Statins (cholesterol medication)
However, if you take any medications, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting St. John’s wort. This effect appears to be related to the concentration of a specific compound called hyperforin. Some research suggests that low concentrations of hyperforin have a lower likelihood of causing these medication issues, but more research is needed before it could be safely administered with the above medications.
Taking St. John’s wort with antidepressants can also lead to a serious and potentially life-threatening reaction called Serotonin Syndrome. It can also make people more sensitive to the sun. It may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. St. John’s wort can also cause “insomnia, anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, or sexual dysfunction”. That said, so can depression and antidepressant medications.
History and Folklore
St. John’s wort has been used medicinally since at least ancient Greece. In ancient Greece, the plant was called hypericum (which also became the genus name of the plant in scientific nomenclature). Hypericum means “above” and “image” because it was hung over statues of the gods to ward off evil. The concept that St. John’s wort can protect against evil persisted at least into the Middle Ages in Europe. According to Steven Martyn, in ancient times, St. John’s wort was so valued for healing wounds that the time and location of battles was decided by when and where St. John’s wort would be in bloom.
Susan Wittig Albert explains how St. John’s wort came to be associated with St. John the Baptist:
But when the Catholic Church moved into Europe, the priests thought they ought to control the pagan fire festivals, which sometimes grew into drunken parties. They sanctified the winter solstice by connecting it with the birth of Christ. To consecrate the summer solstice, they made it the birthday of John the Baptist. The Midsummer’s Eve bonfires became the “fires of St. John” and hypericum became—naturally—St. John’s Wort. The plant was said to symbolize the sun that dispels the darkness and the Baptist who proclaimed the coming of the Light, the Son of God.
Furthermore, the cross of the branching structure of the plant represents the cross of Christ in some traditions and the folk name for St. John’s wort oil was the blood of Christ because of its deep red color. Some sources say red spots appear on the leaves of the plant on August 29, which is believed to be the date of John the Baptist’s beheading.
Here is an Old English poem from the 14th century as well:
St John's wort doth charm all the witches away.
If gathered at midnight on the Saints 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.
Paracelsus, 16th century alchemist-physician considered St. John’s wort the king of herbs.
Some also say that if you step on the plant that a fairy horse will steal you away. There are also some old English and German poems about St. John’s wort here.
St. John’s wort was used to predict how long you would live or how soon you would wed.
Plant Spirit Medicine
Plant spirit medicine and flower essences are a little more “out there” I describe a bit more of what they are and why I value them here.
I didn’t find much information about this, and look forward to adding my own personal experience to what’s out there. One person said that we can use St. John’s wort to connect to self-worth, warrior energy, truth, and your heart’s mission and voice.
Flower Essences
St. John’s wort uplifts our souls during difficult times. It gives a sense of grounding, unity, and reminds us of our interconnectedness. The flower essence is said to provide the energy of a nurturing father, steadiness and protection. It helps release old methods of self-protection and claim what is uniquely yours to do in the world.
Blessing
Sacred St. John’s wort
Thank you for shining your light on the wounds of our bodies and our souls
Help us to connect to the wonder and the power of the sun
To find channel our energy toward our work in the world
The cheer of your bloom and the deep red of your oil
Help us to find the light and the shadow in our lives and our healing
Continue to bless us with your light as the sun’s light fades into autumn and winter
Author’s note: Reviewing the medical literature for these plants is great fun AND takes quite a bit of time. Because the knowledge I’m sharing here has a bit more practical use and takes more time than me talking about my feelings I have opened The Nettle Witch, MD up for paid subscriptions. I won’t be putting anything behind the paywall because I want all of this information to be available to anyone who will use it, but if you find it valuable and are willing to support my work, I’d be honored. Thank you so much!
A comprehensive look at one of my favorite herbs!
Thank you for this information. I only knew of some of it, so the rest is enlightening!