St. John's Wort vs Tea Tree

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.

Tea tree is native to Australia and has been used by Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years as a traditional antiseptic. Its essential oil is one of the most well-researched antimicrobial essential oils, effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It became widely known after its use by Australian soldiers in World War II.

Hypericin, Hyperforin, Adhyperforin, Flavonoids, Xanthones

Terpinen-4-ol, Gamma-terpinene, Alpha-terpinene, 1,8-Cineole, Alpha-terpineol

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

Wound antiseptic, Skin infections, Insect bites, Respiratory infections, Fungal infections

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

Acne treatment, Fungal nail infections, Athlete's foot, Head lice, Wound care

300mg extract (0.3% hypericin) 3 times daily

Topical only: 5-10% tea tree oil solution for acne; 100% oil for nail fungus applied with cotton swab

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