St. John’s Wort is a flowering herb known scientifically as Hypericum perforatum. It has a long history of traditional herbal use and is available in several different preparations.
At Village Vitamin Store, you can explore St. John’s Wort capsules, concentrated extracts, herbal tea and topical St. John’s Wort oils. (villagevitaminstore.ca)
What Is St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s Wort is a botanical traditionally used in herbal medicine. The aerial portions of the plant, including the leaves, stems and flowers, may be used depending on the product.
Oral products can include dried herb, concentrated extracts or standardized preparations, while topical products may use St. John’s Wort infused into an oil.
Because these preparations are different, oral supplements, herbal tea and topical St. John’s Wort oil should not be considered interchangeable.
What Are St. John’s Wort Supplements Used For?
Certain licensed Canadian St. John’s Wort products are traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and nervousness and may be authorized to help promote healthy mood balance or relieve sleep disturbances associated with mood imbalance. The exact authorized use depends on the individual product and its NPN.
How to Choose a St. John’s Wort Supplement
Botanical Ingredient
Look for Hypericum perforatum on the medicinal ingredient panel.
Whole Herb vs Extract
Some products contain dried St. John’s Wort herb, while others use concentrated botanical extracts.
Hypericin Standardization
Some St. John’s Wort extracts are standardized to provide a specified amount or percentage of hypericin or total hypericins.
For example, licensed Canadian products may identify standardizations such as 0.28% or 0.3% hypericin.
Product Format
St. John’s Wort may be available as capsules, liquid-filled capsules, herbal tea or topical herbal oil.
Serving Directions
Different preparations can have very different serving amounts and durations. Always follow the directions on the individual product.
NPN
Check the Natural Product Number for the exact medicinal ingredient, authorized uses, dosage, medication interactions and cautions.
St. John’s Wort and Mood Balance
Mood support is one of the most common reasons people research St. John’s Wort.
Certain licensed Canadian products are authorized to help promote healthy mood balance, while some also carry traditional uses related to restlessness, nervousness or sleep disturbances associated with mood imbalance.
St. John’s Wort should not be used as a substitute for professional care for depression or other mental health conditions.
St. John’s Wort and Depression
St. John’s Wort has been studied extensively in connection with depression, particularly mild to moderate depression.
Research results have varied. Some studies suggest benefit for mild to moderate depression, while other evidence is less conclusive. St. John’s Wort can also interact with many important medications, including antidepressants.
People experiencing symptoms of depression should speak with a qualified healthcare professional rather than using St. John’s Wort to replace prescribed treatment.
St. John’s Wort and Restlessness
Certain Canadian St. John’s Wort products are traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a calmative to help relieve restlessness or nervousness.
The exact indication and serving directions depend on the specific product.
St. John’s Wort Capsules vs Tea
St. John’s Wort capsules and tea provide the herb in different preparations.
St. John’s Wort capsules may contain dried herb or concentrated extracts and can be standardized to compounds such as hypericin.
St. John’s Wort tea is prepared by infusing dried herbal material in hot water.
Village Vitamin Store currently carries both oral capsule products and caffeine-free St. John’s Wort herbal tea. (villagevitaminstore.ca)
Oral St. John’s Wort vs St. John’s Wort Oil
Oral St. John’s Wort supplements and topical St. John’s Wort oils are different products.
Oral St. John’s Wort is taken according to the directions on capsules, extracts or herbal tea products.
St. John’s Wort oil is designed for external application to the skin. Village Vitamin Store currently carries topical St. John’s Wort oils in addition to oral supplements. (villagevitaminstore.ca)
Always use each product only according to its labelled route of administration.
Important St. John’s Wort Medication Interactions
St. John’s Wort has significant potential to interact with medications.
Canadian product licences can contraindicate use with medications including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, blood thinners, certain cardiovascular medications, anti-HIV medications, anti-cancer medications and immunosuppressants.
St. John’s Wort may reduce the effectiveness of some medications and can cause serious serotonin-related effects when combined with certain antidepressants.
If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, speak with a healthcare professional or pharmacist before using St. John’s Wort.
St. John’s Wort and Sun Sensitivity
St. John’s Wort products can increase sensitivity to sunlight in some people.
Canadian St. John’s Wort licences may advise avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet light or UV therapy while using the product.
Follow the cautions on the individual product.
Shop St. John’s Wort Online in Canada
Browse St. John’s Wort products at Village Vitamin Store to compare capsules, standardized extracts, herbal tea and topical St. John’s Wort oils.
Compare the preparation, extract concentration, hypericin information, intended use and NPN where applicable before selecting a product.
