There are plants that travel around the world, and there are those that love their homeland so much that they never leave it. The Balearic St. John's wort is one such loyal soul.
Anyone hiking through the barren maquis of the Tramuntana mountains will immediately recognize it by its wavy leaves and bright yellow flowers, which shine like little suns from the rocks. Hypericum balearicum, affectionately known as "Estapa Joana" in Mallorca, is an endemic treasure. This means that it grows exclusively here on our islands. It is a true child of this earth, shaped by our wind and our sun.
The "Eyes of Sa Dragonera"
This plant is deeply rooted in Mallorcan culture. In the Rondallas Mallorquinas, the island's ancient fairy tales, it is often celebrated as a symbol of the wild beauty of our nature. The locals sometimes poetically refer to the bright flowers as "Ojos de Sa Dragonera" (The Eyes of Sa Dragonera), in reference to the Dragon Island off our west coast. It is said that the plant has stored the light of the island in order to release it again in dark times.
Ancient healing knowledge
Even in ancient times, healers such as Hippocrates knew about the power of the St. John's wort family. But isolated development in the Balearic Islands has given our native variety a very special power.
- For the soul (natural antidepressant): The most important property of Estapa Joana is its ability to bring light into the mind. Its ingredients (such as hypericin and hyperforin) have a direct effect on our nervous system. They help to balance serotonin levels. In cases of inner restlessness, anxiety, or mild mood swings, the plant acts as a gentle mood enhancer—as if you were drinking the sun of Mallorca.
- For women (menstrual cycle & PMS): Especially when mood swings occur before menstruation (PMS), the herb has an antispasmodic and balancing effect. It helps to smooth out emotional fluctuations.
The skin's wound healer
Not only the soul, but also the skin benefits from Estapa Joana. It is traditionally valued as a wound-healing herb.
- Repair: It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Minor wounds, sunburn, or eczema heal faster under its protection.
- Pain relief: Extracted in oil (the famous red oil), it has been used for centuries to relieve muscle soreness, lumbago, and joint pain.
A symbol of Fartàritx
The fact that this plant only grows here makes it the perfect symbol for our work. It shows that the best solutions are often not far away, but grow right at our feet—adapted to the climate, resilient, and full of strength.
