Comparisons
St John's Wort or St John's Wort Oil?
Two products from the same plant (Hypericum perforatum): tea and standardised extracts taken by mouth, and an oil prepared in vegetable oil that is applied to the skin. The EMA does not assess drinking the oil. The table is built from the sourced cards of both records.
| Aspect | St. John's WortHypericum perforatum | St. John's Wort OilHypericum perforatum |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest evidence | A Strong clinical evidence | T Traditional use |
| Needs | Sleep, Stress & Mood, Digestion | Skin & Hair |
| Form | Dried Herb & Tea | Carrier Oil |
| How to use | Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1.5–2 g of chopped herb. | Apply a thin layer of undiluted oil to the affected area. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 18 | From age 12 |
| Drug interactions | 4 serious interaction(s) | No recorded interactions |
| Duration limit | See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks | Not stated |
Which one, when?
St. John's Wort
Standardised extracts may support mild to moderate depressive episodes under medical supervision; the tea is traditionally used for mental fatigue, restlessness and mild stomach upsets. Anyone on prescription medicines should ask a doctor first.
Full card →St. John's Wort Oil
Traditionally applied externally for mild skin inflammation such as sunburn and for small wounds; in a study on pressure injuries it did no better than saline. Not recommended under 12.
Full card →Good to know
- Serious interactions with birth control pills, blood thinners and antidepressants are reported for the tea and extracts taken by mouth.
- Avoid strong sun and sunbeds with both forms.
- Neither is recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding; oral use is not recommended under 18.
Sources
- European Union herbal monograph on Hypericum perforatum L., herba – Revision 1EMA HMPC · 2022 · MonographSource accessed:
- St John's wort for major depressionCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2008 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
- The effects of St. John's wort on healing of stages 1 and 2 pressure injuries: a randomized controlled trialJournal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing · 2025 · Randomized controlled trialSource accessed: