St. John's wort

Buy St. John's Wort: the extract of Hypericum perforatum

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a yellow-flowering plant native to Europe and Asia, named after its flowering season around St. John's Day (end of June). The plant has a long history in traditional herbal medicine. For supplements, the aerial parts, particularly the flowers and leaves, are processed into a standardized extract. An important point of attention is that St. John's Wort is known for interactions with many medicines; therefore, read the warning below carefully. In our assortment, you will find St. John's Wort as an extract in capsules.

What is St. John's Wort?

St. John's Wort is the Dutch name for Hypericum perforatum, an herbaceous plant with characteristic yellow flowers. The leaves show small translucent dots (glands) when held against the light, which explains the species name "perforatum". The plant naturally contains various plant compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, which are used to standardize extracts. For supplements, the aerial parts are harvested and processed into a standardized extract in capsule form. The label states how much St. John's Wort extract a product provides per serving and on which plant compounds it is standardized.

Important: interactions with medicines

St. John's Wort is one of the best-known examples of an herb that can interfere with the action of medicines. It can affect the breakdown of various medicines in the liver, causing them to work less effectively or differently. This applies to a wide range of medications, including certain contraceptive pills, blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and various other drugs. If you are taking medication, always consult your doctor or pharmacist first before using St. John's Wort. Do not combine St. John's Wort with other medications on your own initiative. This is the most important safety consideration for this herb.

Where does St. John's Wort come from?

St. John's Wort grows naturally in Europe, West Asia, and North Africa and has now spread to other parts of the world. The plant thrives in sunny, dry places such as verges, meadows, and open forest edges and blooms in summer with bright yellow flowers. For the production of supplements, the flowering aerial parts are harvested and dried, after which a standardized extract is made. The origin and cultivation method may vary by brand and are often stated on the product page.

What forms of St. John's Wort are there?

For supplementation, St. John's Wort is mainly available as a standardized extract in capsules or tablets. The extracts are usually standardized to a fixed percentage of hypericin, so that the composition per capsule is uniform. In addition, there are other forms of application in the herbal tradition, such as tea and tinctures, but in the supplement range, the emphasis is on capsules with a standardized extract. The label indicates the amount of extract per capsule and the standardization.

How much St. John's Wort per day and for how long?

There is no official recommended daily allowance for St. John's Wort. The dosage per product varies and is stated on the packaging, expressed in milligrams of extract per capsule. There is no fixed rule regarding the duration of use; some people use St. John's Wort in courses and others for longer periods. Adhere to the instructions for use of the specific supplement and do not exceed the recommended dosage without advice. Given the possible interactions with medicines, it is extra important with St. John's Wort to consult a doctor or pharmacist in advance if you are taking medication, for long-term use, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if in doubt.

Which St. John's Wort is the best? What should you look for when buying?

There isn't one "best" St. John's Wort for everyone; which product is suitable depends on your situation and preference. When comparing, a few points are important. Look at the amount of extract per capsule and the standardization for hypericin, as this ensures a uniform composition per capsule. Check if it is pure Hypericum perforatum and pay attention to the extract ratio, purity, and price per daily serving. The most important point of attention, however, remains its use in combination with medicines: if you are taking medication, always consult your doctor or pharmacist before making a choice. St. John's Wort is a traditional herbal extract; for related products, also check our collection Herbs & Plants.