St John's Wort









St John's Wort


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
St John's wort is used to support individuals with mild depression and anxiety. It has also been used (rarely) for indigestion. St John's wort may have the ability to decrease viral activity in certain individuals. Topically, St John's wort has been used for minor wounds and infections, bruises, muscle soreness, and sprains.
How does it work?
There are at least two primary substances in the St John's wort plant that may affect levels of certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), thereby providing support for people with depression. In addition, these and other substances appear to have a direct affect on the structure of certain viruses and bacteria, providing beneficial actions.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
    • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
    • Take this product with a full glass of water.
    • Take this product at a similar time every day.
    • Since the effects of this product may take several weeks of regular use, you are encouraged to use of a minimum of 1 month before determining whether it has been effective.
  • Topical:
    • For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
    • Wash hands before and after use.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Do not use if you are taking monamine oxidase inhibitor medication.
  • Do not use if you have bipolar disorder.
  • Use with caution if you are taking antiarrhythmic medications or cardiac glycoside medications.
  • Use with caution if you are taking antidepressant medications.
  • May affect the disposition of many medications eliminated by the liver.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen. Wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this product.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • You may feel tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this product affects you.
  • Belly pain and cramps.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Rash
What should I monitor?
  • Watch for unusual swelling of the legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, or exercise tolerance.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Flowering buds
Dosage forms
Oral, topical
Drug interactions
Do not use St John's wort in combination with any prescription medication unless reviewed in advance with healthcare provider. Specific medications reported to interact with St John's wort include: Antirejection medications, HIV-1 protease inhibitors, oral contraceptives, cardiac glycosides, other antidepressants, sibutramine, warfarin, migraine medications, lithium, sedatives (including narcotics), medications altered by a specific liver enzyme system, and anything that affects the neurotransmitter serotonin. Note: This is not a complete list of medications.
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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