St John’s Wort

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	St John’s wort
Scientific name	Hypericum perforatum
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Malpighiales
Family	Hypericaceae
Genus	Hypericum
Type	Perennial herb with creeping runners
Habitat	Dry meadows, woods and roadsides in sun
Native range	Europe, West Asia and North Africa
Colours	Bright yellow flowers with black dots
Flowering season	Late spring to early midsummer
Special feature	Toxic to sheep and cows; spreads fast

Saint John’s wort is also known as Common Saint John’s Wort and Perforates John’s Wort. Its botanical name is Hypericum Perforatum. It is a flowering plant and a Stoloniferous perennial herb. The photosensitizing property of the plant is toxic to sheep and cows. It is traditionally used as a herbal remedy for low mood. It is the most common herbal product in the United States. The leaves and flowers of this plant are used in making medicines. In France, the products of this plant that can be obtained in many forms such as tablets, capsules, oil-based skin lotions, teas, and tinctures have been banned. This plant has traditionally been used for many problems such as jaundice, blood hemorrhages, chronic cough, urinary conditions, bladder issues, lung conditions, dysentery, complaints about the nervous system, parasitic infestations, and viral infections. But, it is used particularly in the treatment of depression.

History

St John’s wort’s, common name came from its traditional harvesting and flowering on St John’s day on 24 June. “Wort” refers to an old English word for plant. In the 400 BC, the ancient Romans and Greeks used this herb to treat many diseases, such as menstrual cramping, reptile bites, ulcers, gastrointestinal distress, superficial wounds and depression. Ancient peoples believed that it confers protection against evil spirits. In the 1st Century AD a Roman military doctor used it as a  magic potions. During the middle ages, it was used to protect against witches, evil and demons. In England it was used in early pre Christian religious practices. Its bright yellow color is related to the Sun and used for the purpose of prediction. In 1850’s, this plant was used to determine that how long family members would live.

Anatomy

The St John’s Wort plant has creeping rhizomes. The stems of this plant are erect and they are branched in the upper section. They can grow up to about 1 meter in height. The flowers of this plant have five petals and are bright yellow in color and have conspicuous black dots. Its sepals are pointed and have granular dots on the tissues. It has many stamens. The flowers are about 2.5 cm. The flowers bloom between late spring and early mid summer season. A reddish liquid is produced when its seed pods or flower buds are crushed.

Habitat

The St John’s wort plant is native to West Asia, Europe, Madeira, North Africa and the Azores. It is found in the many parts of the world, including Australia and North America. It spreads rapidly by means of runners. In the Western United States, it is widespread in Southern Oregon and California. It is native to Ukraine, Turkey, The Middle East, India, Russia and China. It is commonly found in Canada and the US in the dry grounds of meadows, woods and roadsides. It is not native to Australia. It is considered a weed there. But now it is grown there as a crop and Australia produces 20% of the total world’s supply.

Soil for Planting

The St John’s Wort plant grows well in warm, light and sandy soil. Clay, rocky and loamy soil is also ideal for the plant. It can tolerate acidic to slightly alkaline soil. It can adapt both dry and moist soil, but grows well in fertile and well drained soil.

Planting

The best time for planting St John’s wort plant is early spring or summer season after passing the danger of frost. It has to be planted in a warm and sunny environment. It is planted by the sowing of seeds. Its seeds take three months to germinate.

Watering

The St John’s wort plant requires watering. Though it can withstand drought, it  grows well with regular watering. It can also tolerate flooding. After planting, this plant requires deep and slow watering. During long dry spells, it requires more water.

Temperature and Humidity

This plant requires a temperature of 70 degree F, during the growing season. It requires full sunlight to partial shade. Once seeding is completed, the temperature has to be 15 degree C.

Flowering and Maturing Care

Once established, the St John’s wort plant requires little care. Until the transplantation of this plant is well established it requires moisture in the soil for good growth. Rotted manure and compost is also ideal for the growth of the plant. Fertilizers are needed if the soil is poor. During the winter season, a layer of mulch is ideal for the plant as it protects it.

Harvest

The leaves and flowers of the St John’s Wort plant are harvested. The flowers are harvested when they are in full bloom. 1/3 part of the plant is cut off. During harvesting, direct contact with skin and eyes should be avoided. Harvesting is done by mowing, by hand or cutting with a forage harvester. To transport the plant, sacks and tarps can be used.

Pests and Pesticides

In many countries, St John’s wort plant is considered as a weed. But some diseases cause damage to the plant. Anthracnose fungal disease can cause a fast death of the plant. This disease is spread by contaminated seeds. Fusarium Crown, Root Rot and Powdery Mildew also attack the plant and cause damage.

Uses

The St John’s wort herb plant is known for the treatment of depression, insomnia infections and nervousness. It is directly applied to the skin to heal burns and wounds. It is helpful in relieving emotional and physical symptoms of PMS in women and also irritability, breast tenderness, food cravings and cramps. During menopause, it is helpful in improving mood and anxiety. Many people use this plant in the depression and the situations which go along with depression like tiredness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and anxiety. It is also used in the palpitations, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, moodiness, obsessive compulsive disorder and seasonal affective disorder,. It is used to treat headache, migraine, muscle pains, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome and nerve pain. Oil is extracted from this plant. This oil is very effective to treat scrapes, bruises, bug bites, inflammation, hemorrhoids, muscle pain, nerve pain and first degree burns. But it can make skin very sensitive to sunlight.

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