Is St. John's wort effective?

Research suggests it may be more effective than a placebo for mild to moderate depression, but its efficacy compared to standard antidepressants is less clear and it is not recommended for severe depression.

Why is it called St. John's wort?

It is traditionally harvested around St. John's Day (June 24th). 'Wort' is an Old English word meaning 'plant' or 'herb'.

Is St. John's wort safe?

It can be unsafe due to numerous drug interactions (e.g., with birth control pills, antidepressants, blood thinners). It can also cause side effects like photosensitivity. Always consult a healthcare professional before use.

Can I grow St. John's wort?

Yes, Hypericum perforatum is a hardy perennial that grows in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Be aware it can be invasive in some regions.

How do you pronounce “st. john's wort”?

St. john's wort: in British English it is pronounced /ˌseɪnt ˌdʒɒnz ˈwɜːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌseɪnt ˌdʒɑːnz ˈwɜːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

st. john's wort: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Medium-Low

UK/ˌseɪnt ˌdʒɒnz ˈwɜːt/US/ˌseɪnt ˌdʒɑːnz ˈwɜːrt/

Scientific/Technical, Herbalism, Alternative Medicine, General

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “st. john's wort” mean?

A flowering plant (Hypericum perforatum) traditionally used in herbal medicine, especially for treating mild depression and skin conditions.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A flowering plant (Hypericum perforatum) traditionally used in herbal medicine, especially for treating mild depression and skin conditions.

Refers to both the plant and its standardized medicinal extracts (e.g., pills, tinctures). In botanical contexts, it denotes the genus Hypericum. Figuratively, it can symbolize natural healing or herbalism.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Spelling: 'St. John's wort' is standard in both, but the full stop/period after 'St' is more consistently used in AmE. Pronunciation differences exist (see IPA).

Connotations

In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of herbal/natural medicine. In BrE, it might be slightly more associated with traditional/folklore remedies.

Frequency

Comparable frequency in medical/herbal contexts. Slightly higher general public recognition in AmE due to wider marketing of supplements.

Grammar

How to Use “st. john's wort” in a Sentence

[Subject] takes St. John's wort for [condition].St. John's wort is used to treat [condition].St. John's wort interacts with [medication].[Person/Study] researched St. John's wort.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

take St. John's wortstandardized extract of St. John's wortSt. John's wort oilSt. John's wort supplementinteraction with St. John's wort

medium

cultivate St. John's worttincture of St. John's wortwild St. John's worteffects of St. John's wortdose of St. John's wort

weak

yellow flowers of St. John's wortpatch of St. John's wortbuy St. John's wortherb St. John's wort

Examples

Examples of “st. john's wort” in a Sentence

noun

British English

St. John's wort is commonly found in hedgerows across the British Isles.
She purchased some St. John's wort from the health food shop.

American English

St. John's wort is a popular dietary supplement in the United States.
He's researching the active compounds in St. John's wort.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

In the supplements and herbal products industry. ('The company launched a new line of organic St. John's wort capsules.')

Academic

In pharmacology, phytochemistry, botany, and psychiatric research. ('The 2016 meta-analysis reviewed the efficacy of St. John's wort for moderate depression.')

Everyday

Discussing natural health remedies. ('My doctor suggested I try St. John's wort before considering a prescription.')

Technical

Specific to herbalism, pharmacognosy, and medicine regarding drug-herb interactions. ('St. John's wort induces cytochrome P450 enzymes, notably CYP3A4.' )

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “st. john's wort”

Strong

Hypericum (in technical contexts)

Neutral

Hypericum perforatumgoatweedKlamath weedTipton's weed

Weak

herbal remedynatural antidepressant

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “st. john's wort”

synthetic antidepressantpharmaceutical drugplacebo

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “st. john's wort”

Misspelling: 'St. John's wart' (incorrect).
Incorrect capitalization: 'st. john's wort' (should capitalize 'St').
Mispronouncing 'wort' to rhyme with 'fort' instead of 'hurt'.
Using it as a countable noun incorrectly: 'I took a St. John's wort' (better: 'I took some St. John's wort' or 'I took a St. John's wort supplement').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Research suggests it may be more effective than a placebo for mild to moderate depression, but its efficacy compared to standard antidepressants is less clear and it is not recommended for severe depression.
: It is traditionally harvested around St. John's Day (June 24th). 'Wort' is an Old English word meaning 'plant' or 'herb'.
: It can be unsafe due to numerous drug interactions (e.g., with birth control pills, antidepressants, blood thinners). It can also cause side effects like photosensitivity. Always consult a healthcare professional before use.
: Yes, Hypericum perforatum is a hardy perennial that grows in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Be aware it can be invasive in some regions.
: A flowering plant (Hypericum perforatum) traditionally used in herbal medicine, especially for treating mild depression and skin conditions.
: St. john's wort is usually scientific/technical, herbalism, alternative medicine, general in register.
: St. john's wort: in British English it is pronounced /ˌseɪnt ˌdʒɒnz ˈwɜːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌseɪnt ˌdʒɑːnz ˈwɜːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None directly associated; the plant name itself functions as a fixed term.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'St. John's WORTh trying' for mood support. Remember 'wort' is an old word for 'plant' (as in liverwort), not related to 'wart'.

Conceptual Metaphor

NATURAL HEALING IS A SUNNY PLANT (associated with bright yellow flowers and summer harvesting). MOOD IS A PLANT THAT CAN BE NURTURED.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Because can interact with many prescription drugs, you must inform your doctor if you are taking it.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary modern usage associated with St. John's wort?