St. John’s wort is an herbaceous perennial that typically grows 1-3 ft tall that is easily grown in medium-moisture, well-drained soils in full to part shade. They tolerate some drought once established and develop extensive root systems (1). A single plant may produce up to 100,000 seeds per year and is its most common way of spreading. Each cell of the seed capsule contains numerous seeds, which are oblong, flattened, and black (3). The plant features a showy display of star-shaped, yellow flowers in the summer months. Its foliage is said to bear an unpleasant aroma when bruised or rubbed (1).
Culinary and/or Medicinal Uses
Since ancient times, hypericum plants have been used as herbal treatments for a variety of medical problems including externally for wounds, inflammations, burns, skin disorders, and nerve pain and internally for anxiety, depression and insomnia (1). The Greek physicians of the first century, Galen, Dioscorides, Pliny, and Hippocrates, recommended SJW as a diuretic, wound-healing herb, treatment for menstrual disorders, and cure for intestinal worms and snakebites (2).
Cultural Significance to Communities
Native to Europe, central China, northern Africa and western Himalyans (2). The flowers were at one point gathered and displayed to ward off evil spirits. Flowers are typically in bloom on the birthday of St. John the Baptist while wort is a name often given to a healing plant (1). Early Christians also believed the plant had mystical properties, with the greatest effect being obtained when the plant was harvested on Saint John’s Day, which is often the time of peak blooming. Another legend holds that the plant released its blood-red oil on August 29, the day of St. John’s beheading (2).
First/community Voice
To predict their chances for marital bliss, young girls were in the habit of plucking a sprig of flowers from the plant–if the flowers were fresh in the morning, their chances were good, if wilted, a dismal outcome was predicted. This poem is translated from the German, where this custom was also practiced:
“The young maid stole through the cottage door,
And blushed as she sought the plant of power.
‘Thou silver glow-worm, oh! lend me thy light,
I must gather the mystic St. John’s Wort to-night;
The wonderful herb whose leaf will decide
If the coming year shall see me a bride.”
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Klemow, Kenneth M. “Medical Attributes of St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum).” Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. U.S. National Library of Medicine, January 1, 1970.
“Hypericum Perforatum.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed August 14, 2019. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e198.
“Common St. John's Wort.” Illinois Wild Flowers. John Hilty. Accessed August 14, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/.https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/cm_stjohnwort.htm.