St. John's Wort Oil: The Essentials at a Glance

St. John's Wort is rooted in folk belief as a bringer of light because the medicinal plant blooms around the summer solstice. And the extract obtained from the plant can also help us to flourish. The precious St. John's Wort oil is made from beautiful golden flowers.

Hildegards Tipp:

• Premium Lactic Acid Drink for Fasting
• A recipe based on 800 years of monastic knowledge
• Bitterkraft—the pioneer used by 4,000 naturopaths since 1996!
• The Best in Natural Medicine: Organic & Vegan

St. John's Wort oil consists of the extract taken from the flowers of true St. John's Wort and a carrier oil. St. John's Wort and its components are slightly toxic, so it requires further processing before use, for example as St. John's Wort oil.

If you hold the plant up to the light, you can already see the many small glands – the source of the precious oil. When crushed, the petals of the flowers release a blood-red liquid – hypericin, which is credited with the medicinal effect of St. John's Wort. This striking red color has also given St. John's Wort oil the name red oil.

St. John's Wort oil is obtained either by steam distillation or extraction. However, the latter uses chemical substances, which naturally affects the final product. Steam distillation gently extracts the ingredients from flowers, leaves, and buds using steam, making them available for pure further processing.

St. John's Wort oil contains a whole range of valuable ingredients. These include hyperforin, as well as tannins and bitter substances. The oil also contains fat, choline, phloroglucinol derivatives, xanthones, flavonoids, and pseudohypericin.

St. John's Wort oil is exclusively for external use and has proven especially effective as a cosmetic. Applied to the skin, it provides soothing care and helps achieve a fine, even appearance. Skin conditions such as neurodermatitis as well as wounds and burns can also be treated with it. The oil is also wonderful for a relaxing massage.

St. John's Wort oil makes the skin more sensitive to light. Therefore, you should avoid going out in the sun after applying it. Pregnant women are advised against using it. Furthermore, it is now known that the ingredients affect enzymes responsible for breakdown processes in the liver. This can lead to interactions with medications, such as the birth control pill. Therefore, consult your treating doctors.