Penn Herb Wellness Guide

St. John’s Wort for Weight ControlFind Products

Also indexed as:Hypericum perforatum, Saint John’s Wort, St. John's Wort
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort: Main Image© Steven Foster

Why Do Dieters Use It?*

Some dieters say that St. John’s wort helps improve energy and alertness and relieves stress and anxiety.

What Do the Advocates Say?*

St. John’s wort is well established as a remedy for mild to moderate depression. Since depression can lead to weight gain, and since medications with actions similar to that of St. John’s wort have been used for weight loss, some people have proposed that St. John’s wort can be useful for weight loss. However, no research at all has investigated whether St. John’s wort has any value for this purpose.

*Dieters and weight-management advocates may claim benefits for this supplement based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published scientific articles.

Copyright 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.