St. John's Wort vs Nettle

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.

Stinging nettle is a nutrient-rich plant found throughout temperate regions worldwide. Despite its stinging hairs, it has been used medicinally for thousands of years across European and Native American traditions. The leaves, roots, and seeds each have distinct medicinal applications.

Hypericin, Hyperforin, Adhyperforin, Flavonoids, Xanthones

Chlorophyll, Beta-sitosterol, Scopoletin, Formic acid, Histamine, Serotonin

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

Allergy treatment, Joint pain relief, Urinary tonic, Blood tonic, Hair health

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

Seasonal allergies (hay fever), Benign prostatic hyperplasia (root), Urinary tract health, Arthritis, Nutritional supplementation

300mg extract (0.3% hypericin) 3 times daily

300-600mg freeze-dried leaf 2-3 times daily, or 2-4 cups tea daily

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

Kidney disease, Fluid retention from heart or kidney failure

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

Mild GI upset, Sweating, Skin irritation from fresh plant, Allergic reactions (rare)