Best St. John's Wort Herbal Supplements AI pick
Chosen by an AI model from its trained knowledge, with its reasoning.
AI pick (line): Nature's Way Perika
It is a clinically studied standardized extract rather than generic herb powder.
Not for: People on antidepressants, birth control, blood thinners, HIV drugs, transplant drugs or most other prescriptions, people with bipolar disorder, and people who are pregnant.
What the AI looks for in St. John's Wort Herbal Supplements
- Standardized extract
- Look for 0.3% hypericin, or a named clinically studied extract. Potency and evidence depend on the extract.
- Studied dose
- Around 900 mg of extract per day, in divided doses, for mild to moderate depression. This dose range was used in the positive trials.
- Drug interactions
- Have a pharmacist check every medication you take before starting it. It strongly induces CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, which lowers the levels of many drugs. It can also cause serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs.
Brands that matter
- Nature's Way: Perika standardized extract.
- NOW Foods: Standardized capsules.
What to avoid
- Combining it with SSRIs, SNRIs or triptans
- Using it for severe depression without medical care
- Unstandardized herb powder
Questions
Does it affect birth control?
Yes. It can make hormonal contraception less effective and cause breakthrough bleeding.