Herb of the month: St John's Wort for Happiness

In Season: St. John’s Wort & the Summer Sun

Each June, as the days stretch longer and the season starts to warm up, there is one particular herb that begins to bloom this month: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Known as the “sun herb,” this beautiful yellow flower is traditionally harvested on St. John’s Day (June 24) —just after the summer solstice, when solar energy is at its peak. Folklore tells us this is when the plant’s powers are strongest, and modern herbalists agree: this is the ideal time to gather this powerful plant ally.

A Little History: A Plant of Light and Protection

St. John’s Wort has deep roots in European folk healing and seasonal rituals. For centuries, it was considered a sacred midsummer plant—gathered at dawn on the summer solstice or St. John’s Day (June 24), when its healing power was believed to be at its peak. Bundles of the herb were hung above doorways to ward off evil spirits, woven into garlands for protection, or burned in bonfires to bless the land and home with light.

Its golden flowers, dotted with tiny oil glands, were said to hold the essence of the sun. Crushing them releases a red-purple pigment—seen as the “blood” of the plant and a symbol of transformation. The name “St. John’s Wort” honors St. John the Baptist, whose feast day aligns with its peak bloom and harvest.

More than just folklore, this plant has long been used to lift low spirits, soothe the nervous system, and remind us—especially in darker or uncertain times—that light always returns. From medieval healers to modern herbalists, St. John’s Wort continues to be a wonderful botanical ally for emotional balance, protection, and inner strength.

Modern Uses: For Mood, Nerves, and More

While St. John’s Wort is best known today for its mood-supporting properties, with benefits that extend beyond a single use. Herbalists have long turned to this plant during times of emotional depletion, seasonal transition, or nervous system overload. It offers gentle yet profound support for those seeking balance in both body and spirit.

• Nervous System Tonic
  St. John’s Wort nourishes and supports the nervous system, helping to ease feelings of anxious tension, restlessness, and mental fatigue. It promotes emotional clarity, and supports a more grounded, centered state - especially during high-stress periods or when routines are disrupted. Some herbalists also recommend it for supporting restful sleep, especially when stress or low mood are involved.*

• Topical Relief for Skin and Nerves
  When infused in oil, St. John’s Wort becomes a soothing topical remedy. Herbal oils made from the fresh flowers turn a vibrant ruby-red, thanks to the compound hypericin. These oils are traditionally used to ease nerve-related discomfort, including occasional sciatica, neuralgia, and minor injuries involving bruises or sore muscles. It’s also a beloved remedy for burns, scrapes, and sun-exposed skin, helping to calm inflammation and promote natural healing.*

• Emotional Resilience & Light in Dark Times
  Sometimes called the “herbal sunshine,” St. John’s Wort has long been used to uplift the spirit and restore a sense of inner light during times of emotional heaviness. Whether you’re feeling weighed down by winter’s darkness or navigating personal challenges, this herb has a reputation for gently guiding the mind and heart toward warmth, hope, and resilience.*

Because of its complex actions and interactions with medications, it’s important to use St. John’s Wort with care and awareness. But when used wisely, especially in its whole, freeze-dried form, it can be a deeply restorative ally for emotional wellness and nervous system health.

How We Preserve Its Power

Because many of St. John’s Wort’s active compounds, like hypericin, are sensitive to heat and light, freeze-drying is an ideal method for preserving its potency. Our process locks in the full spectrum of constituents and activity, offering you a product that’s as close as possible to the wild, living plant.

You can see the difference: our St. John’s Wort flowering tops come out of our freeze-drier with a bright fresh color, not brown or dull like heat-dried versions. That’s because we freeze-dry our herbs fresh, right after harvest—never air-dried, never powdered, never diluted.

1. Harvest the plant:
Use clean garden scissors or pruners to snip just the upper portion of the plant—generally the top third, where the flowers are concentrated. Cutting too low can damage the plant's growth. Always harvest ethically: take no more than 1 in 3 plants from any wild patch and never harvest endangered species.

2. Make an infused oil:
St. John’s Wort oil is traditionally made by wilting fresh flowering tops loosely in a brown paper bag to remove moisture and then placing them in a clean jar and covering them with a neutral carrier oil (like organic olive or jojoba oil). Place the jar in a sunny window for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily. Over time, the oil will turn a rich ruby-red. Strain and store in a dark glass bottle. Use on burns, scrapes, or sore muscles.

3. Tincture preparation:
Chop fresh flowering tops and cover with high-proof alcohol (at least 70%) in a glass jar. Steep for 4–6 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking regularly. Strain and store in a dropper bottle.

4. How to freeze-dry small flowers (like St. John’s Wort):
If you have a home freeze-dryer (e.g. Harvest Right), here’s how to preserve delicate flowers:

• Prep: Harvest fresh flowering tops in the morning after dew has dried. Lightly shake off any insects or debris—do not wash unless necessary.

• Tray setup: Spread flowers in a single layer on freeze-dryer trays. Avoid clumping so they freeze evenly.

• Pre-freeze: You can pre-freeze the trays in your freezer for 12–24 hours to shorten drying time.

• Freeze-dry cycle: Run a standard herb or delicate flower cycle if your machine has one or use the lowest temperature with a 12-hour drying time depending on moisture level.

• Storage: Once fully dry, store in airtight glass jars away from light and moisture. Avoid plastic if possible, as it may leach or trap residual oils.

Freeze-dried herbs will retain color, aroma, and potency far better than air-dried ones—especially with a delicate, sun-sensitive plant like St. John’s Wort.

Herbal Energetics & Planetary Vibes

Energetically, St. John’s Wort is warming, drying, and slightly bitter —making it a powerful ally for clearing internal fog, lifting emotional heaviness, and rekindling the inner fire. It supports those who feel low in spirit , overwhelmed by darkness , or adrift in seasonal transition . Like the midsummer sun, it brings clarity, warmth, and illumination to both body and mood.

In astrology , St. John’s Wort aligns most closely with the Sun and Leo , and in some traditions, also Mars .

• The Sun represents vitality, consciousness, and the heart —a perfect match for this golden herb known to lift the spirits and restore inner radiance.

• Mars speaks to protection, energy, and action , resonating with the herb’s use in boundary-setting, both physical (skin, nerves) and energetic (protection from dark moods).

• Its strong solar affinity is why it's traditionally harvested around St. John’s Day (June 24) —when the sun is at its zenith and the plant is most potent.

This bright yellow flower teaches us to seek the light , reclaim joy , and hold steady in our own radiance , even when shadows fall. It’s a botanical torch—igniting confidence, protecting the spirit, and reminding us that warmth lives within.