Cranberry vs St. John's Wort

Cranberry is a North American native fruit widely recognized for its role in urinary tract health. It contains proanthocyanidins (PACs) that prevent bacteria from adhering to urinary tract walls. Cranberry is one of the best-studied botanicals for UTI prevention and is recommended by many healthcare practitioners.

St. John's Wort is a flowering plant that has been used medicinally since ancient Greece. It is best known for its use in treating mild to moderate depression, where clinical evidence supports its efficacy comparable to some conventional antidepressants. It is named for its traditional harvest on St. John's Day.

Proanthocyanidins (PACs), Quercetin, Myricetin, Hippuric acid, Vitamin C

Hypericin, Hyperforin, Adhyperforin, Flavonoids, Xanthones

Urinary tract health, Scurvy prevention, Wound healing, Stomach ailments, Liver problems

Depression treatment, Wound healing, Nerve pain relief, Anti-inflammatory, Sedative

Urinary tract infection prevention, Recurrent UTI management, Helicobacter pylori reduction, Cardiovascular health, Antioxidant supplementation

Mild to moderate depression, Seasonal affective disorder, Anxiety, Nerve pain, Menopausal symptoms

500mg cranberry extract 1-2 times daily, or 240-300ml unsweetened juice daily

300mg extract (0.3% hypericin) 3 times daily

Kidney stones (oxalate type), Aspirin allergy (contains salicylic acid)

Concurrent use with SSRIs or MAOIs, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Organ transplant recipients, HIV patients on antiretrovirals

GI upset at high doses, Diarrhea, Kidney stone risk (high doses), Blood sugar elevation (sweetened products)

Photosensitivity, Dry mouth, Dizziness, GI upset, Fatigue, Restlessness