St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) – Herb

Brew & Taste

St. John's wort infusion is a light orange color and has an intense herbal aroma. After the first sip, you'll notice a pleasant sweetness, shortly followed by a mild astringency and bitterness. St. John's wort decoction can be sweetened with a spoonful of honey.

Origins

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a very distinctive herb that's easy to spot in the wild. It typically grows to a height of 50-70 cm, has a sturdy, slightly woody stem, and small, elliptical leaves that seem to have spots when held up to the light – these are actually tiny oil glands. However, it's the bright yellow flowers that are most likely to catch your attention. When rubbed, they leave a red stain on your fingers.
It grows throughout most of Europe, but you can also find it in parts of Asia and North Africa. It prefers sunny and drier habitats – the edges of meadows, field borders, forest paths, or pastures. Sufficient light is key to the production of the active compounds that make St. John’s wort so highly valued.

The herb should be harvested at the peak of flowering, most often during July and August. During this period, it contains the highest concentration of bioactive compounds. Drying is done gently in the shade so that the herb retains not only its color but also its potency.

And why has St. John’s wort maintained its place in herbal medicine for centuries? Its effects are broad and complex. It supports mental balance, helps with stress and tension, and contributes to better sleep and overall relaxation. At the same time, it's also used to support digestion, the respiratory system, and complexion. It is no coincidence that it has been associated with purification since ancient times – not only mental but also physical.

Its properties are primarily due to a rich spectrum of active compounds such as:

• hypericin and pseudohypericin,
• hyperforin,
• flavonoids (rutin, quercetin),
• tannins,
• essential oils,
• phenolic acids. 

Herb packaging preview

We pack our herbs in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. Thanks to the hermetic seal, the herbs are protected against humidity, light and foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew and the herb itself.