St John’s wort oil: the red massage oil with a clear warning
The bright red macerate is a classic, but it comes with an important caveat. We sort it out honestly.
Important warningA red macerate from flowers
St John’s wort oil, also called red oil, is made by steeping the flowers of St John’s wort in a base oil for weeks, during which it turns deep red. Traditionally it is used as a warming massage and care oil.
The red pigment hypericin is also the reason for the most important precaution.
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The important warning: avoid the sun
- Photosensitivity: St John’s wort can make skin more sensitive to light, so do not expose treated areas to the sun.
- Better at night: best applied when no sun or tanning bed follows.
- Test tolerance: check a small area first.
- Interactions: St John’s wort taken internally affects many medications, that is a matter for a professional, here it is about the external oil.
Said honestly
St John’s wort oil is a time-honoured massage and care oil, but the photosensitivity is no detail, it is the central rule: treated skin does not belong in the sun. It is care, not treatment, and we make no healing promises. For complaints or while taking medication, the decision belongs in professional hands. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- St John’s wort , Wikipedia