Mild to moderate depression relief
Effective for treating mild to moderate depression symptoms
St. John's Wort
Traditional mood-supporting herb that helps manage mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder naturally
Scientific nameHypericum perforatum
FormulaComplex hypericin and hyperforin
Molecular weightVariable bioactive compounds g/mol
CASVarious natural compounds
70
absorption score
5
safety / 10
20
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
St. John's Wort with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
75
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimAnxiety and stress reduction
Helps reduce anxiety, stress, and nervous tension
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) support
May help with seasonal depression and winter mood changes
Sleep quality improvement
May improve sleep quality and reduce sleep disturbances
Nerve pain and wound healing
Traditional use for nerve pain and topical wound healing
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Melatonin
Sleep support & circadian rhythm
0.5-3mg
A
50%
Ashwagandha
Stress management & energy
300-600mg
A
75%
Magnesium Glycinate
Superior absorption sleep & muscle support
200-600 mg
A
90%
L-Theanine
Calm focus & stress relief
100-400mg
B
90%
Glycine
Sleep quality & collagen support
3-10g
A
95%
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
Natural relaxation & anxiety relief
250-1000mg
C
30%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
St. John's Wort + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
St. John's Wort + Magnesium Oxide
Enhanced anxiety reduction and mood stability
Works better together
75
St. John's Wort + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
Enhanced mood and depression benefits
Works better together
78
St. John's Wort + Vitamin D3
Enhanced mood and energy benefits
Works better together
78
Dosage
Daily600-900mg
Mild depression600-900mg daily (divided doses)
Moderate depression900mg daily (divided doses)
Anxiety stress600-900mg daily
Seasonal depression900mg daily
Before you take it
Pregnancyavoid — interacts with many drugs
VeganYes
When to expect it
First Effects2-4 weeks for initial mood improvement
Peak Benefits6-12 weeks for sustained depression and anxiety relief
Deficiency DevelopmentReturn to baseline mood and depression symptoms
Toxicity OnsetSun sensitivity can occur within days
How to measure it
MarkerNot routinely tested - monitor mood and symptoms
OptimalImproved mood scores and depression rating scales
Deficient belowNot applicable for supplement
FrequencyMonitor mood and any medication levels if applicable
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 20 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
20 reports
of 41 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
69%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event8
Hospitalization7
Visited a Health Care Provider6
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
High 70 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms
Delivered daily
525 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$0.13 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Enhanced mood and depression benefits
Both support neurotransmitter function and reduce inflammation · level B
+
B Complex Vitamins
Enhanced mood and energy benefits
B vitamins support neurotransmitter synthesis · level B
+
Magnesium
Enhanced anxiety reduction and mood stability
Both support nervous system function · level CWhat not to take with St. John's Wort
!
Antidepressant Medications
Risk of serotonin syndrome and dangerous interactions
Both affect serotonin systems · major significance
!
Birth Control Pills
May reduce effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives
Induces liver enzymes that metabolize hormones · major significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningRisk of serotonin syndrome
What to do: NEVER combine - potentially life-threatening
Reduces effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives
What to do: Use additional contraception methods
Reduces effectiveness of anticoagulants
What to do: Monitor INR closely, avoid combination
Available forms
Standardized Extract (0.3% hypericin, 3% hyperforin): Most researched, Standardized potency, Clinical backing, Consistent effects
LI 160 (Jarsin, Perika brands): Specific research extract, German quality, Clinical studies, Proven efficacy
Whole Herb Extract: Complete spectrum, Traditional form, More affordable, Natural
Dried Herb Powder: Traditional form, Complete plant, Lower cost, Natural
Food sources
Fresh St. John's Wort flowers
Traditional preparation for oil/tea · 40
St. John's Wort extract supplements
300mg per capsule (typical) · 70-80
St. John's Wort tea
Lower concentration · 35
St. John's Wort oil
Traditional topical preparation · Topical use
Too little
- Not essential - but symptoms addressed by St. John's Wort:
- Mild to moderate depression and low mood
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Seasonal depression and winter blues
- Sleep disturbances related to mood
- Emotional instability and mood swings
- Lack of motivation and energy
Too much
- Generally safe but significant concerns:
- Photosensitivity and severe sunburn
- Major drug interactions reducing medication effectiveness
- Serotonin syndrome with antidepressants
- Breakthrough bleeding with birth control
Who benefits most
mild-moderate-depression
Excellent evidence for treating mild to moderate depression
300mg (0.3% hypericin) 3x daily
anxiety-stress-management
Effective for reducing anxiety and stress symptoms
300mg 2-3x daily
seasonal-affective-disorder
May help with winter depression and seasonal mood changes
300mg 3x daily
sleep-problems-insomnia
May improve sleep quality in depression-related insomnia
300mg 2-3x daily
nerve-pain-neuropathy
Traditional use for nerve pain and neuropathy
300mg 2-3x dailyWhere to buy it
Look for St. John's Wort at 600-900mg per serving. The form that matters here is Standardized Extract (0.3% hypericin, 3% hyperforin).
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How it works
- Inhibits reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine
- Hyperforin affects multiple neurotransmitter systems
- May modulate GABA and glutamate neurotransmission
- Affects hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
- Anti-inflammatory effects may reduce neuroinflammation
- May influence circadian rhythm regulation
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Strong evidence for mild to moderate depression - equal to synthetic antidepressants
- Generally effective and well-tolerated for depression
- Major drug interaction concerns require careful monitoring
- Should not be combined with prescription antidepressants
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of St. John's Wort?
Documented effects: Mild to moderate depression relief; Anxiety and stress reduction; Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) support; Sleep quality improvement. Effective for treating mild to moderate depression symptoms
How much St. John's Wort should you take per day?
The common daily range is 600-900mg. By goal — mild depression: 600-900mg daily (divided doses); moderate depression: 900mg daily (divided doses); anxiety stress: 600-900mg daily; seasonal depression: 900mg daily.
When is the best time to take St. John's Wort?
With meals divided doses. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for initial mood improvement.
What are the side effects of St. John's Wort?
At excessive doses: Generally safe but significant concerns:, Photosensitivity and severe sunburn, Major drug interactions reducing medication effectiveness, Serotonin syndrome with antidepressants, Breakthrough bleeding with birth control. Safety rating at normal doses is 5 out of 10.
What should you not take with St. John's Wort?
Separate it from Antidepressant Medications, Birth Control Pills by two to four hours. Risk of serotonin syndrome and dangerous interactions
Does St. John's Wort interact with medications?
Documented interactions with antidepressants-ssris, birth-control-pills, blood-thinners. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need St. John's Wort?
The marker is Not routinely tested - monitor mood and symptoms, optimal range Improved mood scores and depression rating scales. Common deficiency signs: Not essential - but symptoms addressed by St. John's Wort:, Mild to moderate depression and low mood, Anxiety and chronic stress, Seasonal depression and winter blues.