St John's Wort ( T)

14. St John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum  ( T)

Gaelic: Achlaisean Challum-chille (Armpit package of Columba), lus na Maighdinn Muire

Other names: perforate St John’s Wort

Native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia

Traditionally believed by Gaelic-speaking Scots to ward away evil and bring peace and prosperity if carried secretly, secured under the left armpit. St Columba supposedly carried the plant in this way, hence its Gaelic name. Believed to be most effective if found accidentally, without seeking.

Called the ‘milking plant’ as it was put into the milking pail and milked onto it to improve the milk yield. Imparts a purple colour to spirits.

Used in folk medicine (but can interfere with prescription drugs)

Use as a dye in Scotland reported in 1777

Dye: The flowering tops produce two colourants, yellow and red. The red dyestuff is destroyed by drying the plant. By using mordanted and unmordanted yarn sequentially,  green, red, black/brown and yellow can be obtained from the same dyebath if picked and used fresh at the peak of flowering.