Effective for mild depression, and the single worst herb for drug interactions.
TrustedSupp Tier System™ · Tier 3Take as a defined course
Check before you startThis one has documented interactions with medication classes where the consequences are serious. If you take any prescription medicine, run it past a pharmacist before starting.
Evidence strength
78/100Strong
WEAKLIMITEDMODERATESTRONGVERY STRONG
What the evidence supports: mild to moderate depression, comparable to some antidepressants.
This scores how well-supported the claim above is — not how much benefit you personally would get. A high score on a narrow claim does not extend to everything the product is marketed for.
How long to take it
Under medical supervision only, given the interaction profile.
Who it's actually for
Mild to moderate depression — but only after a full medication review.
Safe upper limit
Unverified
No formal limit; 300 mg extract three times daily in trials
It induces liver enzymes that clear a huge range of drugs, silently reducing their effectiveness. Contraceptive failure and transplant rejection have both been documented.