Confusion over St John's Wort dose...? Educated answers only pls?

Question

I read on the internet that the standard dose of SJW is 300mg three times a day of standardised 0.3% hypericum.

Today I bought some from Tesco's that say '170mg standardised extract hypericum'. But the bottle from Tesco says 'One to be taken daily - do not exceed the stated dose'.

So now I'm confused because 170mg total daily dose is way different to 900mg total daily dose!

Why are the doses different? Is it because Holland and Barrett have a 'weaker' strain of hypericum or something?

Should I take 2 x 170mg tablets three times a day to try and get nearer the internet suggested dose?

Answer 1

I would take 900mg a day.

You need to spread your capsules out during the day, not take them all at once.

With the Tesco brand, I'd take 5 a day and then get another brand that's 300mg

Answer 2

It depends on what that 170 mg is a measurement of. If it's of St. John's Wort that's standardized to 0.3%, then it isn't very much and you might as well buy a different one that's a larger dose. I doubt it would be 170 mg of Hypericum, but it might be a higher percentage of standardization than 0.3%.

900 mg is the normal dose for non-extracts (whole herb pills of St. John's Wort). The normal dosage for standardized extracts tends to vary depending on research and condition it's being used for, but at 0.3%, it's commonly around 600-750 mg.

Answer 3

You should ask the pharmacist. That is what they are there for and they are very helpful. I stopped taking sjw and now I take a low dosage of effexir. It works so much better. You really should consult a pharmacist.

Answer 4

just stick to what each brand states

Answer 5

No, just take what it says on the bottle - the dosage is stated for a reason - as you said, one may be a stronger brand than the other.....They have to state what is correct because they have clinical guidelines to adhere to. The internet may be wrong, but may be correct in their brand - so take the 170mg of Tescos per day.

Read this one it may help  it states 300mg powder CONTAINS  180 micrograms hypericum

http://www.spahealth.co.uk/St-Johns-Wort...

Answer 6

Buy the one-a-day tablets and you will "walk on water".

Answer 7

Lots of good advice given. All i can add really is St Johns wart can produce drug metabolising enzymes. switching from brand to brand can have a change to the degree of enzyme induction. Furthermore, If SJW is no longer used. concentrations of other drugs being taken may increase. Awareness of this is important as there is a risk factor of potential toxicity.