Comparisons
St John's Wort and Centaury
In Turkish, "kantaron" names two different plants. Confusing them matters, because St John's wort changes the effect of many medicines, including the pill and blood thinners. The table is built from the sourced cards of both herbs.
| Aspect | St. John's WortHypericum perforatum | CentauryCentaurium erythraea |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest evidence | A Strong clinical evidence | T Traditional use |
| Needs | Sleep, Stress & Mood, Digestion | Digestion |
| Form | Dried Herb & Tea | Dried Herb & Tea |
| How to use | Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1.5–2 g of chopped herb. | Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1–4 g of chopped dried herb. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 18 | From age 18 |
| Drug interactions | 4 serious interaction(s) | No recorded interactions |
| Duration limit | See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks | See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks |
Which one, when?
St. John's Wort
Its standardised extract may help mild to moderate depressive episodes under a doctor's care; its tea is traditionally used for mental exhaustion and sleep problems. People on prescription medicines should ask a doctor first.
Full card →Centaury
A bitter herb traditionally used for mild indigestion and temporary loss of appetite. People with a stomach ulcer should not use it.
Full card →Good to know
- Check the Latin name on the label: Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) and Centaurium erythraea (centaury).
- Avoid intense sun while using St John's wort.