St. John's wort

American  

[seynt-jonz wurt, wawrt] / ˌseɪntˈdʒɒnz ˌwɜrt, ˌwɔrt /

St. John's Wort,

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of St. John's wort

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

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2023

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

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2022

“My Last Good Nerve,” for instance, has ingredients to help soothe a frazzled mind: organic lavender, chamomile, St. John’s wort.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2020

Ingredient apps like Think Dirty help aficionados weigh the difference between mugwort and St. John’s wort.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 9, 2018

He promised to deliver her, and pointed out the perforated St. John’s wort as a herb odious to devils.

From Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln A Short Story of One of the Makers of Mediaeval England by Marson, Charles L. (Charles Latimer)