What does it help with
- Mild to moderate depression and anxiety
- Nerve inflammation, neuralgia, sciatica
- Wound and burn healing (St. John's wort oil)
- Sleep quality improvement with nervousness
Active compounds
Hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), tannins, essential oils.
Hyperforin inhibits serotonin and dopamine reuptake. Warning: drug interactions (anticoagulants, contraceptives).
How and when to harvest
Harvest periodJune – August (in sunny weather)
Plant partsflowering herb (upper 20 cm)
Dryingquickly, shade, 40 °C
Shelf life1 year (protect from light)
Preparation methods
TeaSt. John's wort oilTinctureCapsulesOintment
Pro tip: St. John's wort oil: fill a jar with fresh flowers, pour olive oil, 4–6 weeks in the sun. The oil turns red — that's correct.
Recipes
1 Tea for depression ▾
Pour 250 ml boiling water over 2 tsp dried herb, steep 10 min. Drink 3× daily for at least 4–6 weeks.
2 St. John's wort oil ▾
Fill a jar with fresh yellow flowers, pour sunflower oil. Strain after 4–6 weeks in sun — oil turns red-orange.
3 Compress for neuralgia ▾
Rub St. John's wort oil into painful areas, cover with a warm wrap. Leave for 20–30 minutes, 2× a day.
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6 more recipes in the Herbarium
St. John's wort tincture · Sleep combo tea · St. John's wort ointment · Lavender oil extract · St. John's wort syrup · Sciatica tea
🌿 See all recipes — the Herbarium is free