St. John’s Wort

a.k.a.  ‘nature’s prozac’
latin name: hypericum

zone:  4-8
type: perennial
light: full sun or partial shade
height: 18-24” (45-60 cm)

description:  It is a lovely herb to grow, with stunning, lightly scented yellow flowers in midsummer, which are followed by prolific seed heads.   The small, oval, green leaves are covered with tiny translucent spots, which are resin glands.  When crushed or on a hot day, they give off an unpleasant foxy scent.  The bright yellow petals of the flower contains hypericin, a red pigment that is an active ingredient.

harvest:  Harvest the flowers in summer as they open.  Remove green parts, then dry or preserve in oil.

uses:  This important medicinal herb acts as tonic for the nervous system and as an antidepressant.  An oil infused with the flowers stimulates tissue repairs and is used to treat wound, burns, and shingles.  This herb has many medicinal properties.