Ashwagandha and St. John’s wort are two herbs often used to ease mood swings, reduce anxiety, and relieve depression symptoms. Long ago, both were thought to have almost magical powers.
This article answers a common question: is it safe to take ashwagandha and St. John’s wort together, and what benefits might result?
Both herbs are used to help with seasonal or postpartum depression and anxiety because they support the body’s stress response in different ways. Still, there are important differences between them.
Both ashwagandha and St. John’s wort are classed as adaptogens—plants or fungi that help the body handle stress and tiredness. But, as Christopher Smaka, head of Vital Ways (a school of traditional Western herbalism), points out, “each adaptogen is a radically different plant.” That shows up in how they differ in safety and in how they interact with other medicines.
Ashwagandha is often used to boost libido and sex drive, which is not a main use for St. John’s wort. St. John’s wort, on the other hand, is commonly used as a natural alternative to antidepressants and can ease the symptoms of major depression with fewer side effects for some people.
St. John’s wort has many known interactions with other herbs and drugs—some of them harmful. Luckily, some plants can work well with St. John’s wort, and ashwagandha is one of those. Taking them together might strengthen their calming effects and speed relief from common depression symptoms. But this stronger effect can be a downside: if side effects do happen, they may be worse.
Neither herb should be used during pregnancy, whether taken alone or together.
Beyond mood and anxiety, studies suggest St. John’s wort may help with conditions like eczema, menopause symptoms, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and ulcers. Some of these might benefit from combining it with ashwagandha, but more research is needed.
Both herbs can interact well with other medicinal plants, though ashwagandha is usually safer to mix with other herbs than St. John’s wort. Still, always check with a healthcare professional before combining them with each other, other herbs, or prescription drugs.
Research shows ashwagandha root extract is generally safe and well tolerated. It can interact with sedatives, blood thinners, thyroid medicines, immune-suppressing drugs, and anti-anxiety meds, among others. Most side effects are mild to moderate. Ashwagandha can also cause drowsiness and lower blood pressure when combined with some herbs, and it has no known food interactions.
St. John’s wort, however, can affect more than 500 medications. It can reduce the effects of many prescriptions, including antidepressants, blood thinners, painkillers, and drugs for cancer, heart disease, and HIV. It can also trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder or worsen symptoms in some people with schizophrenia. That’s why people with mental health conditions should be very cautious and consult a doctor or pharmacist before using it.
Some people also react to St. John’s wort when they eat foods high in the amino acid tyramine. These foods are often pickled, aged, smoked, or fermented—like certain cheeses, cured meats, beer, wine, sauerkraut, chocolate, and fermented soy products. It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol and cut back on caffeine while taking St. John’s wort.
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