As it is the summer solstice today I have chosen St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) as my weed/wildflower of the week.
It started flowering a little earlier than usual last week – as you may have guessed, it gets its name from St John’s Day on 24th June, and usually opens just before that. This pretty yellow flower, with its characteristic reflective shiny five petals, spreads everywhere here, and has recently also started invading my flower beds. Although, I must admit I do have some I planted specifically in my Herb Bed as well, as you can see in this photo below. 😉
And here it is growing wild in the meadow…
I believe Hypericum perforatum is indeed classified as an invasive weed in North America, where it is a neophyte. Like many of the plants growing wild here, it has been used medicinally for centuries, primarily as an antidepressant and for anxiety or sleeping disorders. It is also anti-bacterial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory, and Hypericum oil (hypericin) has been used for treating bruises, burns, rashes, rheumatism and sprains. Like many herbal remedies, the pharmaceutical industry has tried to play down its usefulness, but data from 2004 showed it is the most frequently prescribed anti-depressant in Germany and for light to medium depression has the same effect as other drugs. (I read the other day that over 8 million people in the UK take anti-depressant medication – hopefully hypericum is sometimes prescribed there too).
The oil is in the leaves, and the glands can be seen when the leaves are held up to the light, looking like tiny perforations. (Hence the botanical name Hypericum perforatum.)
The flower buds produce a reddish purple ‘ink’ when squeezed between the fingers, which also explains one of the names used for it in German – ‘Herrgottsblut’ (‘lord’s blood’) – apparently a reference to the blood of the holy Saint John the Baptist.
The flowers of St. John’s Wort (Johanniskraut in German) are considered to be at their most potent at midsummer and are traditionally used here in wreaths and decorations. These are made with nine herbs altogether and displayed on the door as protection, or the herbs are held over the Johannisfeuer – a bonfire lit on the eve of St John’s Day. One of these other herbs may be Chamomile, which I featured last week. Another is Artemisia, which also grows in my garden. However, the herbs used do vary from region to region. These old traditions are dying out, but in some small communities – particularly further south – the traditional bonfires and midsummer parties still take place.
I wonder if this flower grows wild near you… or if it finds its way into your flower beds like here. I would love to know if it is common in the UK in particular, as I do not recall it from my childhood.
If you would like to join me one Wednesday with a wild and weedy post, please do. And leave a link in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, and happy solstice! 😉
Words and Herbs 