Ingredient information: St. John's wort in food supplements
What is St. John's wort?
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a medicinal plant native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; it is also known as St. John's wort.
It is recognized for its calming and balancing properties, and is often used to treat various mental and emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
What is the use of St. John's wort in dietary supplements?
St. John's wort is a common ingredient in sleep-specific dietary supplements. It is also used to help relieve temporary anxiety and to treat skin problems (when applied topically: wounds and irritations).
What are the properties of St. John's wort?
The main active ingredient in St. John's wort is hypericin. Other active molecules also contain it, such as pseudohypericin and phloroglucinols.
Clinical studies have shown that St. John's wort is effective in treating depressive symptoms and temporary anxiety. In fact, St. John's wort is used as a medication to treat these types of disorders.
What are the health claims of St. John's wort?
There are currently no health claims validated by the EFSA regarding St. John's wort. However, some of its effects are recognized: for example, the WHO considers its use in the context of depressive disorders to be clinically established.
Precautions for use and contraindications of St. John's wort
St. John's wort is not recommended for children under 12 years of age and for pregnant or breastfeeding women . It is also not recommended for people suffering from bipolar disorder due to the risk of triggering manic episodes . Some people may be allergic to St. John's wort; in this case, it is recommended to avoid consuming it. It is important to consult a doctor and/or pharmacist if taking other medications simultaneously, as St. John's wort can interact with certain drugs .
St. John's wort is a CYP3A4 inducer and is therefore likely to interact with the action of certain medications, including:
- Medications for heart problems
- Oral contraceptives
- Antidepressants
- AIDS treatment
- Triptans
- Oral anticoagulants
- Antiepileptics
- Some lipid-lowering drugs
- Some immunosuppressants
It is recommended not to consume St. John's wort at the same time as any other medication without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
St. John's wort in Phytocea food supplements
At Phytocea , we have incorporated St. John's wort, standardized for its active ingredients, into the ODodo formula. ODodo is a special sleep supplement . It contains plant-based active ingredients designed to promote falling asleep and improve sleep quality.
ODodo can be found in the Phytocea food supplement catalogue .
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