Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum, “St John’s wort” in English and “Millepertuis perforé” in French (“millepertuis” meaning “a thousand holes”), belongs to the Hypericaceae botanical family. It is a herb with stems that can reach a height of 1 m.

St John’s wort, native to Europe and Western Asia, now grows in most temperate zones of the world. It thrives in prairies and pastures and is considered as a weed in many countries.

It is used as a medicine for milder form of neurotic depression. In folk medicine, it is employed against diarrhea, as a diuretic, against bed-wetting, rheumatism and gout. Mixed with oil in the form of Oleum hyperici, it is used for healing wounds and for burns.

Its main constituents are hypericin and hypericin-like substances; flavonoids, particularly hyperoside and rutin as well as biflavones (amentoflavone), hyperforin, essential oil and up to more than 10% tannins.

• English name St. John's Wort
• French name Millepertuis