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St John's wort for Mood support

Hypericum perforatum · Hypericaceae

Effective for mild-to-moderate depression Evidence rated high (d = 0.80).

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Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) — botanical photograph
I

How it works mechanism

Hyperforin inhibits reuptake of 5-HT, NE, DA. Comparable to SSRIs for mild-moderate MDD per Cochrane.
II

Evidence cited sources

1 source
High evidenceeffect size d = 0.80

Effective for mild-to-moderate depression

Sources
  • St John's wort for major depression — Cochrane review (2008)
III

Dosage & preparation

PreparationDoseNotes
Tincture (1:5, 45%)2.000–4.000 ml · 3×/day— (max 42d)
Standardized capsule300.000–600.000 mg · 3×/dayStandardized to 0.3% hypericin (max 42d)
Infusion / tea2.000–4.000 g · 1–3×/day— (max 42d)
IV

Safety & cautions

contraindication · warfarin / digoxin / immunosuppressants / antiretrovirals
Reduces plasma levels via CYP3A4 / P-gp induction. Avoid.
contraindication · oral contraceptives
Induces CYP3A4 → reduced contraceptive efficacy. Backup non-hormonal method required.
contraindication · SSRIs / MAOIs
Risk of serotonin syndrome. Do not combine.
warning · photosensitivity
May cause photosensitivity at high doses.
warning · pregnancy
Pregnancy / lactation: insufficient data, avoid.
V

Other plants for Mood support

8 alternatives
Bamboo Lily
Bamboo Lily
Lilium japonicum platyfolium
moderate
Banksia Rose
Banksia Rose
Rosa banksiae
moderate
Bergamot
Bergamot
Monarda didyma
moderate
Blue Lupin
Blue Lupin
Lupinus angustifolius
moderate
Buckler-Leaved Sorrel
Buckler-Leaved Sorrel
Rumex scutatus
moderate
Carnation
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
moderate
Chinese Motherwort
Chinese Motherwort
Leonurus sibiricus
moderate
Cimicifuga foetida
Cimicifuga foetida
Cimicifuga foetida
moderate
VI

Frequently asked

Is St John's wort effective for Mood support?

Effective for mild-to-moderate depression Evidence is rated high with an effect size of d=0.80. See the Evidence section above for cited sources.

What is the recommended dose of St John's wort for Mood support?

Typical adult dose: 2.000–4.000 ml as Tincture (1:5, 45%), 3 times daily. See the Dosage table for all forms. Always start at the lower end.

What are the safety risks of St John's wort for Mood support?

Reduces plasma levels via CYP3A4 / P-gp induction. Avoid. See the Safety section for the full list of contraindications and drug interactions.

How does St John's wort compare to other plants for Mood support?

See the alternatives section above — we list other species with documented effects on Mood support, ranked by evidence quality.

Is this medical advice?

No. This is educational reference. Always consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal preparation, especially alongside prescription medication.

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