St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort (Guan Ye Lian Qiao)
Botanical Name: Western – Hypericum perforatum. Eastern – Herba Hypericum.
St. John’s Wort is a yellow flower that can lift your spirits and help stop bleeding. It can be used with other herbs to help detox the liver but it is best known for relieving stress, depression and anxiety.
Below is an overview of St. John’s Wort, combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of St. John’s Wort.
Have we sparked your interest?
Sign up, FREE, for access to all of WRI Healing Herb Fact Sheets and Exclusive Member Only Offers! Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Western
Western Name: St. John’s Wort
Also Known As: Tipton’s Weed, Chase-Devil, Klamath Weed, Touch and Heal, Goatweed
Organs/Systems: Lungs, Intestines, Kidney, Blood, Nerves
Key Western Actions & Medicinal Uses: Anti-inflammatory, Antidepressant, Promotes Tissue Repair, Analgesic, Antibiotic.

Eastern
Pin Yin: Guan Ye Lian Qiao
Also Known As: Tu Lian Qiao, Guan Ye Jin Si Tao
Meridians: Liver
Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Clears Heat/Eliminates Toxins/Reduces Swellings: carbuncles, snake and bug bites, sores, urinary tract infections, red eyes, tonsillitis. Stops Bleeding: hemoptysis, hermatemsis, and bleeding due to trauma. Dispels Wind Damp: relieves muscle aches and pains. Calms Shen/Smooths Qi: regulates Liver Qi to treat depression.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Flower
Flavors/Temps: Bitter, Acrid, Astringent, Neutral
Caution: Considered very safe.
History/Folklore: St John’s Wort’s common name comes from the flower being harvested on St John’s Day, June 24th. The genus name Hypericum comes from the Greek words hyper (above) and eikon (picture) in reference to the traditional usage of the plant to ward off evil by hanging the plants over religious icons on St John’s day. The species name perforatum refers to the presence of small oil glands on the leaves that look like windows when held against the light (i.e. light perforating the leaves).
It has been used to heal sword wounds as far back as the Middle Ages. The Crusaders used the plants red oil to sooth and heal wounds. It was said that stepping on St John’s Wort at dusk meant a night spent on the back of a fairy horse. Christians identify the herb with St John saying the plant’s red pigment is St. John’s blood from his beheading. General treatments dose at 300mg to 1000mg daily. Macerating the flowers in oil yields a red sedative, analgesic rub that alleviates neuralgia. Used in homeopathy to heal post-surgery, cuts and wounds.
The flowers bloom midsummer and when crushed turn blood red, the color associated with wounds, menses, fertility and childbirth. It was felt that the plant was most potent during this period. Culpeper wrote, “The decoction of the herb and flowers… is [also] good for those that are bitten or stung by any venomous creature.”
Key Constituents:
Hyperforin, Essential Oil, Tannins, Flavonoids, Resins, Glycosides, Carotenes, Pectin, Hyproside.

Not For Livestock
Eaten by livestock, St. John’s Wort can cause photosensitization, central nervous system depression, spontaneous abortion and death.

Expel Ghosts and Devils
The Ancient Greeks felt that one whiff of St. John’s Wort’s incense-like aroma would expel ghosts and devils.

Associated with Midsummer
St. John’s Wort is often associated with midsummer and solstice ceremonies and rituals.
FREE Trial!
Get a NEW Healing Herb Fact Sheet each week!
Sign up for immediate access to your first Healing Herb Fact Sheet and a one month free trial. Find out for yourself why over 50,000 people have already signed up.
Choose the Right Herbs for You!
Take FULL Advantage of the Healing Powers of Herbs!
Our Healing Herb Library is a collection of How to Use Herb Health Sessions that guide you through individual herbs, helping you to take full advantage of each herb’s unique healing powers.
Flower Your World with Healing Herb Fact Sheets!
Get 300+ Fact Sheets,
Right Now!
Get IMMEDIATE access to Our Complete Collection of 6 eBook Volumes containing 300+ Healing Herb Fact Sheets.
Want to Learn More?
Join us for FREE to receive Special Offers and updates about our upcoming courses, FREE materials and more.Disclosure: If you purchase from some links on this web page, we may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, we only ever mention products we would recommend whether we were being compensated or not. Thank you so much for your support of White Rabbit Institute of Healing!