How to Make St. John’s Wort Oil

Jun 24 / Jennifer Anne Tucker

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The oil made from the flowers is one of the most often used herbal remedy in my home apothecary. For myself and for others many miracles come from the oil. To find the plant in the wild and in the garden the alchemy of sunlight and the fresh flowers in olive oil transforming into a deeply red color always is magical.

In the early days of my herbal “budding” a vintage book of herbs by Juliette de Bairacli Levy was my herbal inspiration and one of the few books in my library in the late 1960’s. In her external use of St. John’s oil from wounds to rashes in including very serious diseases “including infectious ailments, such as scarlet fever and typhus” and she further writes “The fresh flowers steeped in sun or fire-warmed olive oil, yield the famed oil of St. John’s wort, much used by the crusader knights.”

Some of my experiences EXTERNALLY with the oil
  • Whiplash after car accident wear a SJW oil-soaked bandana around the neck to prevent the spasms of pain and repair any nerve damage.
  • Spine pain, scoliosis aches, muscle strain I combine SJW oil with Mullein Verbascum thapsus as a massage or to wear an oil pad.
  • Knee, joint pain, post-surgical swelling, pain and scar prevention after knee, shoulder or hip replacements. SJW oil massage or oil pad on or near the surgical site.
  • Shingles nerve pain and blisters.

For more severe pain in the above conditions anywhere on the body, some combinations are SJW oil with Arnica oil, or with Lobelia inflata oil.
These are all home-made oils from fresh plants.

  • Sunburn, scalds, and deep burn pain apply SJW oil liberally or wear oil-soaked gauze pad to protect and cover burn and prevents infection and pain.
  • Hospice care of patient and caregiver, family in attendance, anoint feet, hands, heart, forehead and is truly a blessing when adding Rose oil or Rose Essential oil to SJW oil.
  • Protect children while sleeping. Massage into feet or abdomen, chest or spine.
  • An MS patient daily use on the spine.

INTERNAL water-based infusions or alcohol extracted tinctures
NOTE: not to be used internally if on pharmaceuticals or antiviral medications. Not to be used long-term internally.
  • My “dark days” tincture and for recovery after shingles infections to prevent relapse in combination with Lemon Balm tea. I find it very useful for viral infection depression.
  • Menopausal and hormonal mood swings, restlessness and fleeting anxiety over a known upcoming challenging event.

I’m sure there is more to discover, this is just a quick inventory of my uses over the years. Share yours!! Happy Solstice and may you find abundant St. John Flowers!

Sun-Infused, Small Batch St. John's Wort Oil

Step 1: Gather a pint or quart jar, wax paper, and lid, label. Pick an oil of choice, preferably organic, I use Olive Oil as my base oil.

Step 2: Squeeze a flower or bud between your thumb and first finger to see a red “stain” left on the skin. Take the jar filled with oil to the plants. Squeeze, rub a flower or bud between the thumb and first finger to see if the oils are active, and leave a red “stain” on the skin. Hand-pick each flower and put it directly into the oil. I enjoy collecting only the open flowers and some buds, no leaves. Leave some flowers for pollinators. Hand picking each flower is the best “medicine” and the best way to get to spend a glorious summer day hanging out with a wise medicine plant! Ratio of flowers to jar size: three-quarters full of flowers or flowers covered in 1” of oil.

Step 3: Add additional oil to within one-half inch of the top of the jar. Air space will cause moisture condensation. Place a wax-paper barrier between the oil and the jar lid.

Step 4: Keep the jar of flowers in oil outside in full sun and shake the jar daily so the flowers are mixed and floating in the oil. Minimum 3 to 4 weeks in Pennsylvania, if there are cloudy days, it might take a month or more. Flowers will start to sink to the bottom of the jar. If the oil is deep red, go to step 5. If oil is orange and not a deep red, read step 6.

Step 5: Strain the SJW oil into a clean, dry jar using a fine cotton cloth or jelly cloth to capture and squeeze the flowers in the cloth to extract. NOTE: At this stage, the oil will appear to be cloudy. It is ready to use if you wish. Or let it sit on a shelf, labeled, dated, and in a cool, dark place; do not refrigerate. After a few weeks, the oil should look clear, and a little gel-like sludge might have settled to the bottom of the jar. You can decant and strain again at the time of use to eliminate the gel-like substance. Enjoy…ready to use!!

Step 6: If the plants are still in bloom, I will strain out the first batch of flowers after 2 to 3 weeks and then harvest more flowers, adding to the already infused oil to make it stronger. Sun-infuse for another couple of weeks until a deep red.


Want to learn more?
Learn how to properly ID St. John's Wort, the parts used, medicinal properties and much more in our free, downloadable Late Spring - Early Summer Seasonal Herbalist Cards.

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