St. John's Wort vs Kava

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.

Kava is a plant native to the Pacific Islands where it has been consumed ceremonially for over 3,000 years. It is widely used for its anxiolytic and relaxant properties, and clinical evidence supports its effectiveness for generalized anxiety. Concerns about liver toxicity led to bans in some countries, though quality-controlled products appear safe.

Hypericin, Hyperforin, Adhyperforin, Flavonoids, Xanthones

Kavain, Dihydrokavain, Methysticin, Yangonin, Desmethoxyyangonin

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

Ceremonial beverage, Anxiety relief, Social relaxant, Pain relief, Sleep aid

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

Generalized anxiety disorder, Stress relief, Insomnia, Muscle relaxation, Social anxiety

300mg extract (0.3% hypericin) 3 times daily

120-250mg kavalactones daily in divided doses

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

Liver disease, Heavy alcohol use, Depression (may worsen), Parkinson's disease, Concurrent hepatotoxic medications

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

Liver damage (rare, linked to poor quality products), Drowsiness, GI upset, Skin rash (kava dermopathy), Headache, Dizziness