St Johns Wort in Spanish | The Names People Actually Use

In Spanish, this herb is most often called “hierba de San Juan” or “hipérico,” and both point to Hypericum perforatum.

You’ll see St. John’s wort in lots of places: supplement bottles, tea blends, skincare labels, even older family remedy notes. If you’re reading Spanish packaging or talking with a pharmacist in a Spanish-speaking country, the English name won’t always land. The plant is the same, but the naming shifts by region, by product type, and by how formal the label tries to sound.

This piece gives you the Spanish names that show up in real life, the spellings you’ll meet on labels, and a set of ready-to-say phrases for stores and clinics. It also flags safety issues that come up with this herb, since it can interact with many medicines.

St Johns Wort In Spanish Names And Where They Show Up

Two Spanish names handle most situations. You’ll also run into a few alternatives that can throw you off if you’re only expecting a direct translation.

“Hierba de San Juan”

This is the plain-spoken name you’ll hear in conversation. It’s also common on Spanish-language consumer health pages and store shelves. You may see small spelling changes like “hierba” vs. “yerba,” depending on brand style and region. Both point to “herb.”

“Hipérico”

This is a more formal plant name that appears on labels, ingredient panels, and dictionaries. The Real Academia Española lists “hipérico” as a Spanish term for this plant.

Other Spanish terms you may see

These show up less often, but they’re worth knowing so you don’t second-guess the bottle in your hand:

• Corazoncillo (seen in some regions and older references)
• Hypericum perforatum (the Latin botanical name, common on standardized supplements)
• Hierba de San Juan (Hypericum perforatum) (both names on one label to avoid confusion)

Spelling And Accent Marks That Matter

Spanish labels can be picky with accents, and online listings can be sloppy. Here are the patterns that trip people up.

“Hipérico” vs. “hiperico”

The accent mark is correct in Spanish: hipérico. Many product listings drop accents, so you’ll see “hiperico” in online catalogs. Treat them as the same word, then confirm with the botanical name on the label when you can.

Capital letters on labels

Brands often write ingredients in ALL CAPS or in a standardized format. “HIERBA DE SAN JUAN” is still the same term. What matters is the plant identity: the words “Hypericum perforatum” are the anchor when names vary.

Regional spelling “hierba” and “yerba”

In many places you’ll see “hierba.” In parts of Latin America, “yerba” appears in everyday writing. Neither spelling changes what the herb is. If the rest of the label points to St. John’s wort, the product is using a familiar regional spelling.

What Spanish Labels Usually Tell You

Supplement and tea labels in Spanish tend to share a few repeat fields. Once you know what they mean, you can compare products faster and avoid mix-ups.

Botanical name and plant part

Look for “Hypericum perforatum” plus a plant part like “flores,” “sumidades floridas,” or “partes aéreas.” That tells you what part of the plant was used. On regulated herbal product pages, European sources often use “Hyperici herba” when referring to the herbal substance made from the plant, including on the European Medicines Agency’s Hyperici herba page.

Extract details

On standardized supplements you may see “extracto,” a ratio like “4:1,” or a statement about marker compounds. These details help you compare products that look similar from the front.

Warnings and interactions

Many Spanish labels include “advertencias” or “precauciones.” If you’re taking prescription medicine, don’t treat those lines as legal fluff. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that St. John’s wort can weaken the effects of many medicines and can also cause serious problems when combined with certain drugs that affect serotonin.

Spanish Term On The Package	What It Means In Plain English	Where You’ll See It
Hierba de San Juan	St. John’s wort	Front label, teas, casual store talk
Hipérico	St. John’s wort (formal name)	Ingredient list, dictionary entries
Hypericum perforatum	Botanical name	Supplements, regulated products
Extracto / Extracto seco	Extract / dry extract	Standardized capsules and tablets
Sumidades floridas	Flowering tops	Herbal medicinal labels, inserts
Partes aéreas	Above-ground parts	Herbal blends, pharmacopeial style labels
Infusión	Tea infusion	Tea boxes, loose herb packs
Tintura	Tincture	Dropper bottles
Uso tópico	For skin use	Creams, oils, salves
Fotosensibilidad	Sun sensitivity	Warnings and precaution sections

Phrases To Use In A Pharmacy Or Herb Shop

If you’re buying in Spanish, the goal is to match the product to the plant and to your situation. These phrases get you there without sounding stiff.

Asking for the herb by name

• “¿Tiene hierba de San Juan?” (Do you have St. John’s wort?)
• “Busco hipérico, el Hypericum perforatum.” (I’m looking for hipérico, the Hypericum perforatum.)
• “¿Es para infusión o en cápsulas?” (Is it for tea or in capsules?)

Checking the label fast

• “¿En qué parte dice Hypericum perforatum?” (Where does it say Hypericum perforatum?)
• “¿Qué parte de la planta usa?” (Which plant part does it use?)
• “¿Trae advertencias por interacciones?” (Does it list interaction warnings?)

Talking about medicines without over-sharing

You don’t need a full medical history at the counter. A short line can prompt a safer conversation:

• “Tomo medicamentos recetados, ¿esto puede interferir?”
• “Uso anticonceptivos hormonales, ¿hay algún problema?”
• “Tomo antidepresivos, ¿es compatible?”

Safety Notes Worth Reading Before You Buy

St. John’s wort has a reputation as a “natural” option, so people often assume it’s gentle. The bigger issue is drug interactions and sun sensitivity.

Medicine interactions are the main risk

The NCCIH notes that this herb can reduce the effect of many medicines, including birth control pills, some antidepressants, warfarin, certain seizure medicines, and more. If you take prescription meds, ask a clinician or pharmacist before starting it.

Serotonin-related reactions can be serious

Combining St. John’s wort with medicines that raise serotonin can raise the risk of harmful side effects. NCCIH notes this point when warning about interactions with some antidepressants and other drugs that affect serotonin.

Sun sensitivity shows up on labels for a reason

This herb can raise sensitivity to sunlight. Mayo Clinic’s Spanish entry lists photosensitivity and interaction cautions for the supplement. If you see “fotosensibilidad” on a Spanish label, treat it as a real caution, not decoration.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

NCCIH flags safety concerns during pregnancy and also notes reports of side effects in breastfed infants when a nursing parent takes St. John’s wort. This is a spot where professional guidance matters.

Choosing Between Tea, Capsules, And Topical Products

In Spanish, the same herb can appear in different formats. The name stays similar, yet the labeling and expectations change.

Tea and loose herb packs

Tea products often list “infusión” or “para infusión.” These may contain only St. John’s wort or a blend. If the front label only says “hierbas,” flip it and hunt for “hierba de San Juan” or “hipérico” in the ingredient list.

Capsules and tablets

These often give more detail: extract type, dose per capsule, and warnings. Many products also list the Latin name. If you’re comparing two brands, the extract details and standardization notes are usually more useful than the marketing claims on the front.

Oils, creams, and “uso tópico”

Topical products may be labeled “aceite de hipérico,” “pomada,” or “uso tópico.” People buy these for skin irritation or minor knocks. Even topical use can bring sun sensitivity for some people, so read the precautions.

Where You Are	Name You’ll Hear Most	What To Watch For
Spain	Hierba de San Juan, hipérico	Accent marks may appear more often on labels
Mexico	Hierba de San Juan	Some shops use “yerba” spelling in signage
Central America	Hierba de San Juan	Botanical name helps when brands vary
Colombia	Hierba de San Juan	Ask for “Hypericum perforatum” if staff seems unsure
Argentina	Hierba de San Juan	Look for “extracto” details on supplements
Chile	Hierba de San Juan	Tea blends may list it deep in ingredients
Online Spanish listings	Hiperico, hierba de San Juan	Missing accents are common; confirm the Latin name

Common Mix-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Most confusion comes from name overlap. “San Juan” shows up in a lot of product names, and “hipérico” can look like a chemistry term if you’re new to Spanish labels.

Products named after a saint

Some brands use “San Juan” in product branding even when the ingredient list is a blend of many herbs. Don’t stop at the front label. Confirm “hierba de San Juan” or the Latin “Hypericum perforatum” in the ingredients.

Look-alike words

“Hipérico” is the plant name. “Hiper” shows up as a prefix in Spanish, so you may see unrelated words that start the same way. If the label includes Hypericum perforatum, you’re looking at the right plant.

Translation apps can mislead

Some translators return “mosto de San Juan” or other odd phrases. If you want a reliable anchor, search Spanish sites for “Hypericum perforatum” paired with “hierba de San Juan.” That combination is common on medical and herbal references.

A Practical Checklist For Spanish Shopping And Reading

Use this as a fast routine when you’re reading Spanish packaging or buying abroad. It keeps you on the plant, the form, and the warnings.

• Match the name: “hierba de San Juan” or “hipérico.”
• Confirm the botanical: “Hypericum perforatum.”
• Check the form: “infusión,” “tintura,” “extracto,” or “uso tópico.”
• Scan the warning words: “precauciones,” “interacciones,” “fotosensibilidad.”
• If you take prescription meds, ask a pharmacist or clinician before starting.

Once you know the two core Spanish names and the label vocabulary, the rest gets easier. You’ll spot the herb fast, ask clear questions, and avoid the mistakes that happen when a plant has more than one everyday name.