What is St. John's Wort?

St. John's Wort is the dried aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum, a perennial in the family Hypericaceae with five-petaled bright yellow flowers. It takes its English name from its peak flowering around the feast day of Saint John the Baptist on June 24, and its species name perforatum from the tiny translucent glands on the leaves that look like perforations against the light.

About the plant

Native to Europe and parts of Asia and now naturalized worldwide, St. John's Wort has a documented history in European herbalism reaching back to ancient Greek and Roman texts, and it is also called Klamath Weed and Goatweed. Its studied constituents are hypericin, hyperforin, and various flavonoids, and it is among the most researched herbs in modern pharmacology. It is well documented that hyperforin induces cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, so St. John's Wort is known to interact with many prescription medications; consult a healthcare provider and pharmacist before combining it with any medication.

Related herbs

• St. John's Wort Powder — the same herb in ground form.
• St. John's Wort Tincture — the liquid extract.

St. John's Wort: form & sizes

We carry St. John's Wort as organic cut and sifted dried aerial parts, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store St. John's Wort in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

St. John's Wort at a glance

Botanical name

Hypericum perforatum

Family

Hypericaceae

Native region

Europe and parts of Asia

Plant part

aerial parts

Sourcing

Organic

Common names

St. John's Wort, Klamath Weed, Goatweed

Studied compounds

Hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids

Form

cut and sifted dried aerial parts

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb