Herb · Europe
St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum
Traditional Uses
Traditionally used for
Traditionally prepared as
Commonly sold as a standardised extract. Product strengths and directions vary by brand. Follow the label and check with a pharmacist first, because of the interactions above.
This describes how the plant has traditionally been prepared. It is not a dose, and not a recommendation for you. Amounts that suit one person can be wrong for another, and wrong alongside a medicine. Ask a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it.
Safety profile
MAJOR INTERACTION RISK. St John's Wort weakens many prescription medicines, including hormonal birth control (risk of contraceptive failure), warfarin, cyclosporine (transplant anti-rejection), HIV medicines such as indinavir and nevirapine, and cancer medicines such as irinotecan, imatinib and docetaxel. Combined with antidepressants or other serotonergic drugs it can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be serious. Do not start it without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor if you take ANY prescription medicine. Source: NIH NCCIH.
Check interactions with your medicationsCategories
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This profile is educational. Herbal remedies can be powerful and may interact with medications. Always discuss new supplements with your physician or pharmacist before starting, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while taking prescription drugs.