HE GENERIC NAME for St John’s wort derives from the Greek word hyper-ikon or hyper-eikon (“above image”), with some authors suggesting this meant the herb was hung above painted icons or shrines to drive away evil influences. Historically, St John’s wort was believed to protect houses from lightning and to have the power to repel witches, ghosts and demons: a Latin name for the plant used by medieval herbalists was , or “flight of demons”. Before sunrise on St John’s Eve (June 23) was considered the most important time to gather the herb, and festive fires were lit in the evening in honour of St John the Baptist, with the smoke used to purify the herbs, livestock and people.
