St. John's wort

St. John's Wort,

[seynt-jonz wurt, wawrt]

noun

1. any of various plants or shrubs of the genus Hypericum, having yellow flowers and transparently dotted leaves.

Word History and Origins

Origin of St. John's wort¹

First recorded in 1745–55; so named because it was traditionally gathered on St. John's Eve to ward off evil

Example Sentences

A solitary figure who preferred working alone and needed large doses of St. John’s wort to get through days when his studio buzzed with people.

From Los Angeles Times

As a result, people taking St. John’s wort might be more vulnerable to macular degeneration or even cataracts.

From Seattle Times

Q: St. John’s wort has certainly been effective for treating my depression.

From Seattle Times

I also tested aloe vera, St. John’s wort, rose hips, comfrey, all of these things are very acid.

From Los Angeles Times

A: The use of the herb St. John’s wort remains quite controversial.

From Seattle Times