Plant Comparison
Perforate St John’s-wort vs Chickweed
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Perforate St John’s-wort and Chickweed: they share 4 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, eczema, inflammation (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Perforate St John’s-wort | Chickweed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Eczema | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Red pigments historically used to standardise extracts; contribute to antiviral activity and are the compounds responsible for photosensitivity risk.
Considered the principal compound behind the antidepressant activity and the main driver of the herb's potent CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein induction and drug-interaction profile.
Antioxidant flavonoids contributing to overall activity.
Contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Minor constituents; large amounts of fresh herb have anecdotally been linked to mild gastrointestinal upset, possibly related to saponin content.
Nutritive constituents supporting its traditional use as a wild edible green.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antiviral action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Significant drug interactions: strongly induces CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing plasma levels of many drugs including oral contraceptives, antiretrovirals, cyclosporine, warfarin, and digoxin. May cause photosensitivity (fair-skinned individuals). Do not combine with SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs (serotonin syndrome risk). Avoid in bipolar disorder.
Duke (2002) rates St. John's wort as ++ (raised from earlier editions) and notes antidepressant, antiviral, antibacterial, and wound-healing activities at experimental and clinical levels. Hypericin and hyperforin are identified as key active constituents. Clinical evidence (score 2) confirms antidepressant efficacy in mild-to-moderate depression, and WHO/Commission E provide approval for this indication. Dose: 300 mg standardized extract (0.3% hypericin, 3–5% hyperforin) three times daily. Duke emphasizes the critical drug interaction: St. John's wort is a potent CYP3A4 inducer and can significantly reduce blood levels of many medications including oral contraceptives, cyclosporine, antiretrovirals, and warfarin. Avoid combined use with SSRIs (serotonin syndrome risk) and pharmaceutical antidepressants (Duke, 2002).
Don’t overdo it as food: some wild-edible-plant research flags chickweed among plants checked for oxalic acid / nitrates—fine in normal amounts, but “huge daily servings” aren’t a smart idea for everyone. (Guil et al., 1997). Kidney stones / high-oxalate diets: if you’re prone to calcium-oxalate stones, treat chickweed like other higher-oxalate greens—moderation. (Guil et al., 1997). Possible stomach upset in large amounts (nausea/diarrhea reported anecdotally; some sources link this to saponins and “too much fresh herb”). (Singh et al., 2022). Pregnancy / breastfeeding: because good human data is limited, many herbal references advise sticking to food amounts or avoiding medicinal dosing unless guided by a professional. (Singh et al., 2022).
Duke (2002) notes that chickweed has primarily folkloric (score f) activity as a demulcent, emollient, and depurative. Its main medicinal applications are external — including soothing inflamed skin, eczema, and itching. No strong clinical evidence supports specific internal medicinal uses. The plant contains flavonoids and coumarins. It is considered generally safe as a dietary green and in topical preparations, though no standardized dosages are established (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Erect, branching perennial herb with paired, oval leaves dotted with tiny translucent oil glands that look like pinpricks when held to the light (giving the species name 'perforatum'). Bright yellow, five-petalled flowers with numerous stamens and black dots along the petal edges are borne in flat-topped clusters, and release a reddish pigment when crushed.[4]
Low, sprawling annual herb (Caryophyllaceae) forming mats, with weak trailing stems bearing a single line of fine hairs running up one side, switching sides at each leaf node - a key identification feature. Leaves are opposite, ovate and pointed. Tiny white, star-shaped flowers have five deeply notched petals that appear as ten, followed by a small capsule.[1]
Habitat
Grows in grassland, roadsides, woodland clearings and waste ground on well-drained soils; native to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa and widely naturalised elsewhere, including North America and Australia.[4]
Native to Europe, now a cosmopolitan weed found worldwide, growing in disturbed ground, gardens, cultivated land and waste places, tolerating cool, moist conditions.[1]
Harvesting
The flowering tops (flower and upper leaf) are cut in summer as the flowers open, around the traditional St John's Day period, and dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place to preserve the hypericin and hyperforin content.[4]
The whole aerial plant is gathered fresh, ideally in spring or autumn when most tender, and used fresh or dried.[1]
Traditional Uses
St John's wort has a centuries-long European folk reputation as a wound-healing and nerve tonic herb, traditionally used for mild wounds, burns and nerve pain and to lift low mood; this traditional mood-supporting use is now one of the most extensively clinically studied applications of any herbal medicine, with standardised extracts shown comparable to conventional antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression.[1, 4]
Chickweed has a long European and North American folk-medicine tradition as a cooling, soothing emollient for itchy, inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, and as a nutritious wild spring green. Modern phytochemical review confirms broad anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, though clinical trial evidence remains limited.[1, 11]
Preparations
Dosage
Clinical trials for mild-to-moderate depression commonly use around 300 mg of standardised extract three times daily (900 mg/day total); given extensive drug interactions, use should be discussed with a healthcare provider, especially alongside other medicines. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
References
Pairings
St John's wort raises serotonin activity and can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonin-boosting agents; pairing it with another mood-active, serotonergic herb such as saffron may add to this risk.[30]
St John's wort is a strong enzyme inducer and increases serotonin activity; combining it with another antidepressant-type herb such as rhodiola may add to serotonergic effects and unpredictably change how each is handled by the body.[30]
St John's wort speeds up the breakdown of many substances and also raises serotonin activity; pairing it with a sedative herb such as valerian may add to drowsiness and can unpredictably change how each is handled by the body.[30, 31]
St John's wort is a strong enzyme inducer and kava is a liver-metabolised sedative; combining them may add to central-nervous-system effects and alter how kava is processed, so combined use warrants caution.[30, 31]
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Ng, Q.X., Venkatanarayanan, N. and Ho, C.Y.X (2017) 'Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) in depression: A meta-analysis', Journal of Affective Disorders, 210, pp. 211-221. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048 - Kholghi, G., Arjmandi-Rad, S., Zarrindast, M.R. and Vaseghi, S (2022) 'St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and depression: what happens to the neurotransmitter systems?', Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 395(6), pp. 629-642. doi:10.1007/s00210-022-02229-z Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-022-02229-z - Fugh-Berman, A (2000) 'Herb-drug interactions', Lancet, 355(9198), pp. 134-138. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(99)06457-0 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)06457-0 - Nobakht, S.Z., Akaberi, M., Mohammadpour, A.H., Tafazoli Moghadam, A. and Emami, S.A (2022) 'Hypericum perforatum: Traditional uses, clinical trials, and drug interactions', Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 25(9), pp. 1045-1058. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2022.65112.14338 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2022.65112.14338 - Jiang, Z., Wang, F., Zhao, Y., Lu, L., Jiang, X., Huang, T., Lin, Y., Guo, L., Weng, Z. and Liu, E (2024) 'Hypericum perforatum L. attenuates depression by regulating Akkermansia muciniphila, tryptophan metabolism and NFkB-NLRP2-Caspase1-IL1beta pathway', Phytomedicine, 132, pp. 155847. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155847 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155847 - Oliveira, A.I., Pinho, C., Sarmento, B. and Dias, A.C.P (2016) 'Neuroprotective Activity of Hypericum perforatum and Its Major Components', Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, pp. 1004. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.01004 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01004 - Russo, E., Scicchitano, F., Whalley, B.J., Mazzitello, C., Ciriaco, M., Esposito, S., Patane, M., Upton, R., Pugliese, M., Chimirri, S., Mammi, M., Palleria, C. and De Sarro, G (2013) 'Hypericum perforatum: pharmacokinetic, mechanism of action, tolerability, and clinical drug-drug interactions', Phytotherapy Research, 28(5), pp. 643-655. doi:10.1002/ptr.5050 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5050 - Saddiqe, Z., Naeem, I. and Maimoona, A (2010) 'A review of the antibacterial activity of Hypericum perforatum L', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 131(3), pp. 511-521. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.07.034 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2010.07.034 - Mennini, T. and Gobbi, M (2004) 'The antidepressant mechanism of Hypericum perforatum', Life Sciences, 75(9), pp. 1021-1027. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2004.04.005 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2004.04.005 - Liu, Y., Jiang, Y., Huang, R., Yang, J., Xiao, B. and Dong, J (2013) 'Hypericum perforatum L. preparations for menopause: a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety', Climacteric, 17(4), pp. 325-335. doi:10.3109/13697137.2013.861814 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2013.861814 - Wurglics, M. and Schubert-Zsilavecz, M (2006) 'Hypericum perforatum: a 'modern' herbal antidepressant: pharmacokinetics of active ingredients', Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 45(5), pp. 449-468. doi:10.2165/00003088-200645050-00002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2165/00003088-200645050-00002 - Kasper, S (2001) 'Hypericum perforatum - a review of clinical studies', Pharmacopsychiatry, 34(Suppl 1), pp. S51-S55. doi:10.1055/s-2001-15467 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-15467 - Nathan, P (1999) 'The experimental and clinical pharmacology of St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)', Molecular Psychiatry, 4(4), pp. 333-338. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4000557 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000557 - Verotta, L (2003) 'Hypericum perforatum, a source of neuroactive lead structures', Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 3(2), pp. 187-201. doi:10.2174/1568026033392589 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026033392589 - Linde, K. et al (2008) 'St John'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=St%20John - Natural Standard (2013) 'Hypericum perforatum (St'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Hypericum%20perforatum%20%28St - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Zhou, S., Chan, E., Pan, S.Q., Huang, M. and Lee, E.J.D (2004) 'Pharmacokinetic interactions of drugs with St John's wort', Journal of Psychopharmacology, 18(2), pp. 262-276. doi:10.1177/0269881104042632 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881104042632 - Izzo, A.A. and Ernst, E (2009) 'Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review', Drugs, 69(13), pp. 1777-1798. doi:10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2165/11317010-000000000-00000 - Borrelli, F. and Izzo, A.A (2009) 'Herb-drug interactions with St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): an update on clinical observations', The AAPS Journal, 11(4), pp. 710-727. doi:10.1208/s12248-009-9146-8 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-009-9146-8 - Nicolussi, S., Drewe, J., Butterweck, V. and Meyer zu Schwabedissen, H.E (2020) 'Clinical relevance of St. John's wort drug interactions revisited', British Journal of Pharmacology, 177(6), pp. 1212-1226. doi:10.1111/bph.14936 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14936 - Piscitelli, S.C., Burstein, A.H., Chaitt, D., Alfaro, R.M. and Falloon, J (2000) 'Indinavir concentrations and St John's wort', Lancet, 355(9203), pp. 547-548. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(99)05712-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)05712-8 - Barone, G.W., Gurley, B.J., Ketel, B.L., Lightfoot, M.L. and Abul-Ezz, S.R (2000) 'Drug interaction between St. John's wort and cyclosporine', Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 34(9), pp. 1013-1016. doi:10.1345/aph.10088 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.10088 - Murphy, P.A., Kern, S.E., Stanczyk, F.Z. and Westhoff, C.L (2005) 'Interaction of St. John's Wort with oral contraceptives: effects on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, ovarian activity and breakthrough bleeding', Contraception, 71(6), pp. 402-408. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2004.11.004 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2004.11.004 - Murphy, P.A., Kern, S.E., Stanczyk, F.Z. and Westhoff, C.L (2005) 'Interaction of St. John's Wort with oral contraceptives: effects on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, ovarian activity and breakthrough bleeding', Contraception, 71(6), pp. 402-408. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2004.11.004 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2004.11.004 - Pfrunder, A., Schiesser, M., Gerber, S., Haschke, M., Bitzer, J. and Drewe, J (2003) 'Interaction of St John's wort with low-dose oral contraceptive therapy: a randomized controlled trial', British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 56(6), pp. 683-690. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.02005.x Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.02005.x - Johne, A., Brockmoller, J., Bauer, S., Maurer, A., Langheinrich, M. and Roots, I (1999) 'Pharmacokinetic interaction of digoxin with an herbal extract from St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)', Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 66(4), pp. 338-345. doi:10.1053/cp.1999.v66.a101944 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1053/cp.1999.v66.a101944 - Mathijssen, R.H.J., Verweij, J., de Bruijn, P., Loos, W.J. and Sparreboom, A (2002) 'Effects of St. John's wort on irinotecan metabolism', Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(16), pp. 1247-1249. doi:10.1093/jnci/94.16.1247 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/94.16.1247 - Smith, P., Bullock, J.M., Booker, B.M., Haas, C.E., Berenson, C.S. and Jusko, W.J (2004) 'The influence of St. John's wort on the pharmacokinetics and protein binding of imatinib mesylate', Pharmacotherapy, 24(11), pp. 1508-1514. doi:10.1592/phco.24.16.1508.50958 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1592/phco.24.16.1508.50958 - Izzo, A.A (2004) 'Drug interactions with St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): a review of the clinical evidence', International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 42(3), pp. 139-148. doi:10.5414/cpp42139 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.5414/cpp42139 - Caus, M.N., Lupoae, M. and Chitescu, C.L (2026) 'Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks', Pharmaceuticals, 19(3), pp. 399. doi:10.3390/ph19030399 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030399
- Oladeji, O.S., Oyebamiji, A.K (2020) 'Stellaria media (L.) Vill. - A plant with immense therapeutic potentials: phytochemistry and pharmacology', Heliyon, 6(6), pp. e04150. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04150 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04150 - Demjan, V., Sojka, L., Slezak, P., Kaprinay, B. and others (2021) 'Stellaria media tea protects against diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats without affecting glucose tolerance', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 12(3), pp. 250-259. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.08.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.08.003 - Demjan, V., Kaprinay, B., Sotnikova, R., Knezl, V. and others (2020) 'Effect of Stellaria media Tea on Lipid Profile in Rats', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020, pp. 5109328. doi:10.1155/2020/5109328 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5109328 - Aleem, M., Khan, R.A., Tabassum, N. and others (2023) 'Phytochemical analysis and gastroprotective effect of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 36(5), pp. 1425-1434. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1835268/v2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1835268/v2 - Cusumano, G., Flores, G.A., Venanzoni, R., Angelini, P. and others (2024) 'Small Steps to the Big Picture for Health-Promoting Applications Through the Use of Chickweed (Stellaria media): In Vitro, In Silico, and Pharmacological Network Approaches', Food Science & Nutrition, 12(11), pp. 9295-9313. doi:10.1002/fsn3.4505 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4505 - Ahmad, S., Ullah, F., Ayaz, M., Sadiq, A. and others (2022) 'Lipid peroxidation reduction and hippocampal and cortical neurons protection against ischemic damage in animal model using Stellaria media', Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 29(3), pp. 1887-1892. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.033 - Chak, P., Kumar, S. and others (2024) 'In Vitro COX Inhibitory Activity, LC-MS Analysis and Molecular Docking Study of Silene vulgaris and Stellaria media', Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 83(1), pp. 1009-1020. doi:10.1007/s12013-024-01533-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-024-01533-0 - Chidrawar, V.R., Patel, K.N., Sheth, N.R., Shiromwar, S.S. and Trivedi, P (2011) 'Antiobesity effect of Stellaria media against drug induced obesity in Swiss albino mice', Ayu, 32(4), pp. 576-584. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96137 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.96137 - Rogozhin, E.A., Slezina, M.P., Slavokhotova, A.A., Istomina, E.A. and others (2015) 'A novel antifungal peptide from leaves of the weed Stellaria media L', Biochimie, 116, pp. 125-132. doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2015.07.014 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2015.07.014 - Slavokhotova, A.A., Shelenkov, A.A., Andreev, Y.A. and Odintsova, T.I (2017) 'Defense peptide repertoire of Stellaria media predicted by high throughput next generation sequencing', Biochimie, 135, pp. 15-27. doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2016.12.017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2016.12.017 - Chevallier, A (1996) 'The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Medicinal%20Plants - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ramsay, J.R. and Suhrbier, A. and Aylward, J.H. and Ogbourne, S. and Cozzi, S.-J. and Poulsen, M.G. and Baumann, K.C. and Welburn, P. and Redlich, G.L. and Parsons, P.G (2011) 'The sap from Euphorbia peplus is effective against human nonmelanoma skin cancers', British Journal of Dermatology, 164(3), pp. 633-6. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10184.x Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10184.x - Merani, R. and Sa-Ngiampornpanit, T. and Kerdraon, Y. and Billson, F. and McClellan, K.A (2007) 'Euphorbia lactea sap keratouveitis: case report and review of the literature', Cornea, 26(6), pp. 749-52. doi:10.1097/ICO.0b013e31805444e5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e31805444e5 - Fleischman, D. and Meyer, J.J. and Fowler, W.C (2012) 'Keratouveitis from Euphorbia cyparissias exposure is a temporal phenomenon', Clinical Ophthalmology, 6, pp. 851-3. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S32209 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S32209 - Bonetto, Diego 'On the wonderful chickweed, and its poisonous lookalike'. Available at: https://www.diegobonetto.com/blog/on-the-wonderful-chickweed-and-the-poisonous-lookalike Traditional / reference
https://www.diegobonetto.com/blog/on-the-wonderful-chickweed-and-the-poisonous-lookalike - Schneider, D.J (1978) 'Fatal ovine nephrosis caused by Anagallis arvensis L', Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 49(4), pp. 321-4. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/752080/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/752080/ - University of California Statewide IPM Program 'Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) - Weed Gallery'. Available at: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/scarlet_pimpernel.html Traditional / reference
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/scarlet_pimpernel.html
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.