Commonly found in Latvia, St. John's wort is a perennial, medium-sized (30-70 cm) member of the Hypericaceae family. The plant is stemless, with yellow flowers blooming from late June to August.

It grows individually or in various-sized groups in meadows, clearings, shrubs, forest edges, and along riverbanks. St. John's wort has been used in folk medicine for centuries.

In traditional medicine, St. John's wort is utilized for improving the circulatory system and treating conditions related to blood circulation, such as anemia. It is believed to purify the blood, stop bleeding, and is used for menstrual irregularities. St. John's wort is also known as a remedy for depression. In rare cases, it may cause mild side effects such as dizziness, confusion, and fatigue.

In large doses, St. John's wort is toxic to livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, horses).

Photo: www.redzet.eu

Information sources: www.latvijasdaba.lv, Wikipedia