St. John's Wort

Mood Support

Also known as: Hypericum perforatum, Hypericum, St. John's Wort (Menopause Mood), Hypericin, Kira

Grade A

💊 300mg 3x daily (standardized)🎯 9 primary uses🔗 1 synergy⚠️ Review warnings

Overview

St. John's Wort is a traditional herbal supplement used primarily for mood support, with moderate clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms comparable to some conventional antidepressants. However, it carries significant drug-herb interaction risks and variable standardization across commercial products.

Primary Uses

Mild depressionMood supportSeasonal affective disorderMenopause moodMild-moderate depressionAnxiety (menopause)Mild-to-moderate depressive symptomsEmotional wellnessStress response

Frequently Asked About St. John's Wort

How much St. John's Wort should I take?

The typical effective range is 300mg 3x daily (standardized). Individual needs vary based on age, body weight, diet, and goals — start at the lower end and adjust based on response. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.

When is the best time to take St. John's Wort?

With meals, divided. Consistency matters more than perfect timing — pick a daily anchor (e.g. with breakfast or before bed) and stick with it.

Should I take St. John's Wort with food?

Yes.

Does St. John's Wort interact with medications?

Yes — known interactions include Birth control (reduces effectiveness!), SSRIs, and Blood thinners. If you take any prescription medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting St. John's Wort.

What does St. John's Wort pair well with?

St. John's Wort stacks well with Nothing without checking interactions — these combinations either improve absorption or work synergistically toward common goals.

Who should not take St. John's Wort?

St. John's Wort should be avoided or used with caution by people with Transplant patients (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy, and Cancer patients on chemotherapy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a healthcare provider before use.

What are the side effects of St. John's Wort?

Most people tolerate St. John's Wort well. The most commonly reported side effects are Photosensitivity, GI upset, and Fatigue. Side effects are usually dose-dependent — lowering the dose often resolves them.

Dosage

Typical range

300mg 3x daily (standardized)

Timing

With meals, divided

With food

Yes

Duration

4-6 weeks for effect

Special Populations

Mild depression, SAD

Research & Studies

Search the literature now

We haven’t curated landmark studies for St. John's Wortyet — one-click into the primary literature here. PubMed (RCTs) is usually the highest-signal starting point.

Search St. John's Wort research

PubMed (RCTs) ↗Randomized trials PubMed (all) ↗Full literature Cochrane Reviews ↗Systematic reviews Examine.com ↗Research summaries

Browse all curated studies →

Mechanism of Action

• Contains hypericin and hyperforin
• MAO inhibition and serotonin effects
• Multiple mechanisms

Evidence Quality

Evidence Grade A

Strong evidence for mild-moderate depression

Safety & Contraindications

Serious Warnings

• MAJOR drug interactions with 500+ medications
• Serotonin syndrome risk with antidepressants
• Reduces efficacy of oral contraceptives
• Can cause organ rejection in transplant patients
• Can cause HIV treatment failure
• Can cause chemotherapy treatment failure

Contraindications

• Transplant patients (cyclosporine, tacrolimus)
• HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy
• Cancer patients on chemotherapy
• Patients on SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs
• Patients on warfarin or anticoagulants
• Women using hormonal contraceptives
• Bipolar disorder (may trigger mania)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Common Side Effects

• Photosensitivity
• GI upset
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Avoid

Liver & Kidney Notes

Induces liver enzymes

Interactions

💊 Medications

• Birth control (reduces effectiveness!)
• SSRIs
• Blood thinners
• HIV meds
• Many others

🧪 Supplements

• 5-HTP (serotonin syndrome)

🍽️ Food & Alcohol

• No significant

Stacking & Synergies

Pairs Well With

Nothing without checking interactions

Avoid Combining With

Many medications - check all

Best Goal Synergies

Mild depression without meds

Buying Guide

What to Look For

• Standardized extract

Standardization Markers

0.3% hypericin3-5% hyperforin

Adulteration risk

Low

Practical Notes

• CHECK ALL DRUG INTERACTIONS
• Reduces birth control!
• MAJOR drug interactions - check all meds
• Sun sensitivity - use sunscreen
• Effective for menopause mood with Black Cohosh

More in Mood Support

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SAM-e

Universal methyl donor supporting mood, joints, and liver. Comparable to antidepressants.

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Last reviewed: September 2026 by the Formulate Research Team. Sources cited above; methodology and scoring criteria published here.

Cite this page

Formulate Research Team. (2026, September). St. John's Wort — Evidence-Based Supplement Guide. Formulate Supplement Encyclopedia. https://app.formulate-health.app/learning/supplements/st-johns-wort

Educational content based on published research and our scoring methodology. Not medical advice — consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing supplements, especially if you take medications, are pregnant, or have a medical condition.