Johanna St John

Johanna St John (1631–1705) was an English gardener and herbalist, and the eldest daughter of a notable Parliamentarian, Oliver St John. She would eventually marry Sir Walter St John, a distant relative.

Early life St John's father was Oliver St John, a leading Parliamentarian and supporter of Oliver Cromwell. She was raised during the time of the English Civil War. In the early months of her life, her mother, Johanna Altham, brought her to the home of Altham's stepfather, Sir William Masham, in High Laver, Essex. St John was baptized there on 27 January 1631. This recipe is significant as an example of the role of magic in remedies during the early modern period. This was important to a woman of status who hosted parties, as pallor was associated with wealth and the privilege of remaining idle.