- Latin name
- Hypericum perforatum
- Element
- fire
- Planet
- Sun
- Safe to eat?
- No, not for eating or drinking
How to use it
- Gather at midsummer and hang over the door
- Weave flowering stems into a midsummer wreath
- Lay flowers on the altar at the solstice
- Make a red infused oil for external use only
Lore
It was traditionally gathered on St John's Eve, around midsummer, and hung over doors and windows to keep away evil spirits and storms. Its yellow flowers turn oil a deep red, which folk belief linked to the blood of St John.
Safety
Do not take internally without medical advice. It interacts with many medicines, including the contraceptive pill (making it less effective), antidepressants, warfarin, HIV drugs, immunosuppressants and some heart medicines. It can make skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and keep it from grazing animals and pets.
Not for eating or drinking.
Gods linked with it
- Baldr The shining one, beloved of all
More fire herbs
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Peppermint Mentha x piperita
- Calendula Calendula officinalis
- Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
- Juniper Juniperus communis
- Rowan Sorbus aucuparia