St. John's Wort has slowly become one of the most popular herbs for treating mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is said that the St. John's Wort plant got its name from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. It is said that the knights would use the plant to the terrible wounds that they came across on the Crusade battlefields. St. John's Wort also had a supernatural aura attached to it. In those medieval days, many believed that St. John's Wort had the ability to dispel evil spirits. People who suffered from mental disorders were often given the plant in order to calm the so-called evil spirits. St. John's Wort was often also associated with choleric disturbances and humors. Some believe this is because of the plant's yellow color. The yellow color of St. John's Wort has caused some people to associate the plant with hysteria and jaundice.

The taste and character of St. John's Wort has alternately been described as cool, drying, bitter yet with a hint of sweetness. The main constituents of St. John's Wort are glycosides, volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins and resins. The primary actions of St. John's Wort can be described as analgesic, astringent, antidepressant sedative, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and restorative toward the nervous system. There are many ways to prepare St. John's Wort to take full advantage of its properties. One of the most popular ways to take St. John's Wort is through a capsule or tablet. These have become so popular that they are now available at most local drugstores and pharmacies.