St. John's Wort
Description
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering plant historically used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Its primary active compounds, hypericin and hyperforin, are thought to contribute to its therapeutic effects. It is most recognized for its potential role in addressing mood imbalances, specifically mild to moderate depressive symptoms, and can also be considered for related anxiety or sleep disturbances. The mechanism of action is complex but involves modulating neurotransmitter levels in the brain. It is believed to inhibit the reuptake of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, thereby increasing their availability in the synaptic cleft. This action is analogous to that of some pharmaceutical antidepressants, though the exact pathways and extent of action differ. Beyond its mood-supporting properties, St. John's Wort has also been traditionally used topically for skin conditions, wounds, and burns due to its potential anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. However, its internal use for mood is the most studied application, and caution is advised due to its significant potential for drug interactions.
Sources
Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern AfricaMeadowsClearingsRoadsides
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Best St. John's Wort Supplements
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Timing & Intake
AnytimeWith food
Often taken in divided doses throughout the day. Taking with food may help minimize gastrointestinal discomfort.
Optimal Dosage
Minimum300 mg
Maximum900 mg
Safety & Toxicity
Goals
Mood Support
Impact
Moderate effect
Typical dose:300–900 mg
The active compounds, hypericin and hyperforin, are thought to inhibit the reuptake of key neurotransmitters, increasing their availability in the brain. It has significant potential for drug interactions and should be used with medical guidance.
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Stress Relief
Impact
Situational effect
St. John's Wort works by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It is effective for lifting mood when stress manifests as depressive symptoms, but must be used with caution due to significant interactions with many prescription medications, making it situationally appropriate.
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Interactions
Negative Interactions
Tryptophan
May increase serotonin levels, raising the risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with St. John's Wort.
5-HTP
May significantly increase serotonin levels, leading to a higher risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with St. John's Wort.
Melatonin
St. John's Wort may affect the metabolism or effectiveness of Melatonin.
Valerian
May lead to additive sedative effects or increased central nervous system depression.
Caffeine
St. John's Wort can induce CYP1A2 enzymes, potentially leading to faster metabolism and reduced effectiveness of Caffeine for some individuals.
Recommended products
Best 
St. John's Wort Extract
Swanson Superior Herbs
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A hypericin-standardized St. John's Wort extract providing consistent potency at a good price point.
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St. John's Wort Extract Alcohol-Free
Nature's Answer
St. John's Wort: 1000 mg
An expensive, unstandardized liquid St. John's Wort extract for those who prefer an alcohol-free liquid form.
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St. John's Wort 300 mg
NOW
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
An exceptionally affordable and standardized St. John's Wort extract, providing 300mg with hypericin for consistent mood and stress support.
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St. John's Wort 300 mg
NOW
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A hypericin-standardized St. John's Wort extract from a reputable brand, offering good value.
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St. John's Wort 300 mg
Nature's Bounty
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
An exceptionally affordable and standardized St. John's Wort extract, providing 300mg with hypericin for consistent mood and stress support.
Best 
St. John's Wort 450 mg
Solaray
St. John's Wort: 900 mg
An expensive, unstandardized organic whole herb St. John's Wort, offering a high dose for traditional use.
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St. John's Wort Extract
21st Century
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A very affordable St. John's Wort extract, good for budget-conscious users, but lacks specific active compound standardization.
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Full Spectrum St. John's Wort Extract 600 mg
Planetary Herbals
St. John's Wort: 500 mg
A high-dose, full-spectrum St. John's Wort extract with 600mg per tablet, offered at a very affordable price.
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St. John's Wort Extract 300 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
An excellent value, hypericin-standardized St. John's Wort extract, highly rated by a large customer base.
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St. John's Wort 700 mg
Herbal Secrets
St. John's Wort: 700 mg
A very affordable, high-dose St. John's Wort 'extract' that lacks specific active compound standardization.
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St. John's Wort Extract 300 mg
Lake Avenue Nutrition
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
An exceptionally affordable and standardized St. John's Wort extract, providing 300mg with hypericin for consistent mood and stress support.
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St. John's Wort 300 mg
California Gold Nutrition EuroHerbs
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A top-tier, hypericin-standardized St. John's Wort extract offering exceptional value and widespread customer satisfaction.
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Hypericum 0.3% 300 mg
Vital Nutrients
St. John's Wort: 600 mg
A standardized St. John's Wort extract, formulated to deliver a consistent level of hypericins for mood and stress support.
Best 
St. John's Wort Liquid Phyto-Caps
Gaia Herbs Professional Solutions
St. John's Wort: 1350 mg
A high-dose St. John's Wort in liquid phyto-caps, offering a substantial amount of the herb without specific active compound standardization.
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St. John's Wort 375 mg
Swanson Premium Brand
St. John's Wort: 375 mg
A very affordable, unstandardized whole herb St. John's Wort option for general mood and stress support.
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St. John's Wort 375 mg
Swanson Premium Brand
St. John's Wort: 375 mg
An economical, unstandardized whole herb St. John's Wort in a larger package for extended use.
Best 
Perika St. John's Wort
Nature's Way
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A premium St. John's Wort extract, specifically standardized to hyperforin, offering high quality and consistency.
Best 
St. John's Wort
Herb Pharm
St. John's Wort: 633 mg
A liquid St. John's Wort flowering top extract, providing 633mg per serving for those who prefer non-capsule forms.
Value 
St. John's Wort
Paradise
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A standardized St. John's Wort extract, providing 300mg with hypericin, offering good value for mood and stress support.
Best 
St. John's Wort Extended Release
NaturesPlus Herbal Actives
St. John's Wort: 450 mg
A standardized, extended-release St. John's Wort tablet with 450mg hypericin, designed for sustained mood and stress support.
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St. John's Wort Flower Extract
Bluebonnet
St. John's Wort: 300 mg
A standardized St. John's Wort flower extract, providing 300mg with hypericins for targeted mood and stress support.
Product stats
Price per product
Average$17.30
Median$14.99
Price per serving
Average$0.40
Median$0.20
Price per 100 mg
Average$0.04
Median$0.04
Price distribution
Price per serving distribution
Price per 100 mg
Reference amount: 100 mg
Forms
Paired ingredients
Ingredient forms
Hypericin (14) 75
Hypericins refer to the group of naphthodianthrone compounds, including hypericin and pseudohypericin, present in Hypericum perforatum. These compounds contribute to the plant's characteristic red pigment and are involved in its photoactive and antidepressant properties. They are thought to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) and influence neurotransmitter reuptake.
Pros
- Represents a key class of active compounds
- Contributes to broad spectrum of effects
Cons
- Specific individual effects can vary
- May cause photosensitivity
Per product
Avg$15.75
Med$11.84
Per serving
Avg$0.18
Med$0.10
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.04
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Hypericins (3) 75
Hypericins refer to the group of naphthodianthrone compounds, including hypericin and pseudohypericin, present in Hypericum perforatum. These compounds contribute to the plant's characteristic red pigment and are involved in its photoactive and antidepressant properties. They are thought to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) and influence neurotransmitter reuptake.
Pros
- Represents a key class of active compounds
- Contributes to broad spectrum of effects
Cons
- Specific individual effects can vary
- May cause photosensitivity
Per product
Avg$7.19
Med$7.19
Per serving
Avg$0.05
Med$0.05
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Hypercins (2) 75
Hypercins refer to the group of naphthodianthrone compounds, including hypericin and pseudohypericin, present in Hypericum perforatum. These compounds contribute to the plant's characteristic red pigment and are involved in its photoactive and antidepressant properties. They are thought to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) and influence neurotransmitter reuptake.
Pros
- Represents a key class of active compounds
- Contributes to broad spectrum of effects
Cons
- Specific individual effects can vary
- May cause photosensitivity
Per product
Avg$22.69
Med$22.69
Per serving
Avg$0.63
Med$0.63
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.33
Med$0.33
Price distribution
Hyperforin (2) 80
Hyperforin is a lipophilic phloroglucinol derivative and a major active compound in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). It is primarily responsible for inhibiting the reuptake of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate, thereby contributing significantly to the plant's antidepressant effects.
Pros
- Strong evidence for antidepressant activity
- Acts on multiple neurotransmitters
- Less associated with photosensitivity than hypericin
Cons
- Can cause digestive upset
- Also involved in drug interactions
Per product
Avg$20.85
Med$20.85
Per serving
Avg$0.34
Med$0.34
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.08
Med$0.08
Price distribution
Dianthrones (1) 70
Dianthrones are a class of aromatic organic compounds consisting of two anthrone units linked together. Hypericin and pseudohypericin, key photoactive and biologically active compounds in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), are well-known dianthrones. They are believed to contribute to the herb's mood-supportive effects, particularly through MAO inhibition.
Pros
- Represents a key chemical class of active compounds
- Includes components contributing to mood effects
Cons
- Less specific than 'Hypericin'
- May encompass compounds with less direct therapeutic relevance
Per product
Avg$17.09
Med$17.09
Per serving
Avg$0.18
Med$0.18
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.06
Med$0.06
Price distribution
Hypericum perforatum (1) 85
Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St. John's Wort, is a perennial herb historically used for mood disorders. Its therapeutic effects are attributed to a complex interplay of various compounds, including hypericin, hyperforin, and flavonoids. It is widely recognized for its efficacy in treating mild to moderate depression.
Pros
- Comprehensive spectrum of active compounds, potentially offering synergistic effects
- Extensive research supporting efficacy for mood
Cons
- Significant potential for drug interactions
- Can cause photosensitivity
- Effectiveness may vary based on extract standardization
Per product
Avg$5.93
Med$5.93
Per serving
Avg$0.09
Med$0.09
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
St. John's Wort (1) 85
St. John's Wort refers to the flowering plant Hypericum perforatum, widely used in herbal medicine for its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Its therapeutic actions are attributed to various bioactive compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, which influence neurotransmitter systems.
Pros
- Broadly recognized and studied for mood support
- Readily available in various forms (teas, capsules, tinctures)
Cons
- Numerous and significant drug interactions
- Potential for photosensitivity
- Not recommended for severe depression
Per product
Avg$17.29
Med$17.29
Per serving
Avg$0.72
Med$0.72
Per 10 mg
Avg$0.18
Med$0.18
Price distribution
St. John's Wort, Freeze-Dried (1) 88
Freeze-drying is a process that removes water from the St. John's Wort plant material by freezing it and then sublimating the ice under vacuum. This gentle method is often used to preserve heat-sensitive compounds and maintain the plant's full phytochemical profile, including hypericin, hyperforin, and flavonoids, potentially offering a more 'whole food' or 'raw' form of the herb.
Pros
- Preserves a wider spectrum of natural compounds
- Less degradation of heat-sensitive components
- May offer a more holistic effect
Cons
- Still subject to the same drug interaction and photosensitivity warnings as other St. John's Wort forms
- Standardization of active compounds can vary
Per product
Avg$18.35
Med$18.35
Per serving
Avg$0.20
Med$0.20
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution