--- title: "St. John's Wort: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex" description: "St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) # St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum A Strong clinical evidence St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim Pregnancy **⚠ Avoid** Breastfeeding **⚠ Avoid** Children **⚠ Avoid** Drug interactions **Interaction reported** ## At a glance The EMA classes standardised dry extracts of St John's wort as "well-established use" for mild to moderate depressive episodes; depression must be diagnosed and followed by a doctor. Its tea rests on traditional use for temporary mental exhaustion, mild stomach discomfort and difficulty falling asleep. Because it induces liver enzymes, it changes the effect of many medicines, especially the contraceptive pill, blood thinners and antidepressants. **Parts used:** flowering-tops **Key constituents:** Hypericin & Hyperforin Updated: October 15, 2026 ✓ This herb record is backed by official European Medicines Agency (EMA HMPC) herbal monographs. ## What is it used for? - A Strong clinical evidence Standardised dry extracts may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, under a doctor's care. \[1\] - T Traditional use Its tea is traditionally used for temporary mental exhaustion and for restlessness with difficulty falling asleep. \[1\] - T Traditional use Its tea is traditionally used for mild stomach and gut discomfort. \[1\] ## How is it used? ### Tea Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1.5–2 g of chopped herb. **Amount:** 2–3 times daily **Duration limit:** See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks \[1\] ### Food For depressive episodes, use only a standardised extract product recommended by a doctor. **Amount:** As on the product label **Duration limit:** Effect begins within 4 weeks \[1\] ## Safety & interactions Minimum age: 18 years - If you take prescription medicines, always ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting. - Avoid intense sun or sunbeds; fair-skinned people may get sunburn-like reactions. - Before planned surgery, tell your doctor because of possible interactions with anaesthetics. - Not recommended under 18, in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. \[1\] ### Drug interactions | Medicine / substance | Effect | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | Birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives | Lowers their levels and can cause breakthrough bleeding and reduced protection; use an extra method. [1] | Major | | Coumarin anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin), ciclosporin, tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus | Lowers their blood levels; combined use is contraindicated. [1] | Major | | HIV medicines (protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) and some cancer drugs (e.g. irinotecan, imatinib) | Reduces their effect; combined use is contraindicated. [1] | Major | | Antidepressants (e.g. sertraline, paroxetine) and buspirone | Risk of serotonin syndrome (sweating, fast heartbeat, fever, agitation, tremor); do not combine. [1] | Major | | Alprazolam, diazepam, midazolam, methadone, simvastatin, digoxin, amitriptyline and other drugs broken down by CYP enzymes | Their levels may fall; ask a doctor first if you take prescription medicines. [1] | Moderate | ### Side effects - Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea - Allergic skin reactions - Tiredness, restlessness - Tingling, burning or sunburn-like symptoms in intense sunlight #### ⚕ When to see a doctor - If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops - If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen - If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs ## Did you know? The EMA accepts St John's wort for depression only as standardised extracts recommended by a doctor. \[1\] ## Frequently asked questions Does St John's wort reduce the effect of the pill? Yes. According to the EMA, St John's wort can lower hormonal contraceptive levels and reduce protection; use an extra method. Can I take St John's wort with antidepressants? No. With antidepressants such as sertraline or paroxetine there is a risk of serotonin syndrome. Does St John's wort help depression? Based on clinical studies, the EMA accepts that standardised extracts may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes. Depression needs a doctor's care. How do I make St John's wort tea? Pour 150 ml of boiling water over 1.5–2 g of chopped herb; drink 2–3 times a day. Ask a doctor first if you take medicines. ## Sources 1. [European Union herbal monograph on Hypericum perforatum L., herba – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-hypericum-perforatum-l-herba-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2022 ### Cite This Page St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/ ## Related guides and comparisons - [Herbal Products and Drug Interactions](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herb-drug-interactions/) - [Herbal Products in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herbal-products-in-pregnancy/) - [Same Name, Different Plants](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/same-name-different-plants/) - [Buying and Storing Herbs Safely at Home](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/buying-and-storing-herbs-safely/) - [St John's Wort and Centaury](https://herbadex.com/en/compare/st-johns-wort-vs-centaury/) ## Related plant and preparations [St. John's Wort Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort-oil/) ## On this page At a glance What is it used for? How is it used? Safety & interactions Did you know? 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