Medicinal Monday - St. John's Wort

Originally from Asia, Europe, and Africa, St John's Wort was introduced by Europeans to much of North and South America including Connecticut.  It is used by Native American communities as well as by people from all over the world for centuries. 

About St John's Wort

This herbaceous perennial plant is known botanically as Hypericum perforatum and can grow up to three feet high.  It grows in prairies, pastures, and fields and prefers sandy soil. From late spring through early summer, it has bright yellow flowers with five petals and black dots. The leaves are narrow and oblong in shape and, the stems are woody near the base of the plant. In many places, it is considered to be aggressively invasive and is considered a weed. It spreads by creeping rhizomes. The seeds are black and rough, netted with coarse grooves, and when crushed they produce a reddish liquid.

Medicinal Uses

The Cherokee and the Iroquois use a decoction of this plant to treat menstruation, they also use an infusion for bowel complaints and to treat fevers. The milky substance of this plant is rubbed on sores to soothe them. The Cherokee also crush the plant and sniff it to stop nosebleeds. Some Native American communities chew a portion of the root and swallow it to treat snakebite. The Montagnais make a decoction of this plant and use it as cough medicine. This plant is known among Native American communities for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Did You Know...

St John's Wort is named because the plant blooms on or around St. John's Day, referring to St. John the Baptist. The red spots that appear on the leaves of this plant around August 29 are the symbolic representation of the blood spilled when St. John was beheaded.

The red liquid of this herb was used to treat the wounded during the crusades.

St John's Wort has demonstrated an ability to act as an antidepressant in cases of mild depression and anxiety. This action is linked to the plant's properties of hyperforin and hypericin.

It has also been used to treat premenstrual syndrome.

It also appears to have antibacterial properties and may act as an antiviral.

If taken it can interfere with prescription medication and can cause sun sensitivity and allergic reactions.

If ingested by livestock in large doses, St. John's Wort can cause death.