VCVITAMINS/CHART

The Bottom Line

Use caution with Maca Root and St. John's Wort together: the ingredients or formulations need review, and limited research does not establish the safety of this exact pair.

VERDICT

Maca Root and St. John's Wort together require more care than a neutral matrix label suggests. St. John's wort has a substantial medicine-interaction burden. The absence of a documented direct interaction with the other supplement does not clear the combination for someone taking prescriptions, and spacing doses does not reverse enzyme induction. The practical decision depends on the formulation, your medicines, and your response.

Use with caution Limited evidence
01 / MECHANISM

How They Interact

Maca is a root used as a food and supplement; evidence for many hormonal and energy claims remains limited. St. John's wort can induce drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, reducing the exposure to many medicines. These individual roles do not establish that Maca Root improves the absorption or effectiveness of St. John's Wort, or vice versa. Direct clinical evidence for this particular combination is limited. St. John's wort has a substantial medicine-interaction burden. The absence of a documented direct interaction with the other supplement does not clear the combination for someone taking prescriptions, and spacing doses does not reverse enzyme induction.

02 / BEST PRACTICES

How To Take Them

Use the label's serving and avoid assuming that concentrated extracts match food portions. Have a pharmacist review all medicines before starting or stopping St. John's wort. There is no validated spacing interval that removes the concerns for this combination; reviewing the products and medicines is more useful than choosing an arbitrary time gap. If you miss a supplemental dose, resume the usual schedule instead of doubling the next dose; follow your prescriber's instructions for prescribed products.

03 / FORM MATTERS

Form & Quality Differences

Gelatinized maca has been processed for digestibility and does not mean it contains gelatin. Hyperforin content varies, so one extract's interaction profile cannot be assumed for another.

05

Practical Tips

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Be Careful St. John's wort has a substantial medicine-interaction burden. The absence of a documented direct interaction with the other supplement does not clear the combination for someone taking prescriptions, and spacing doses does not reverse enzyme induction. Safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and prolonged high-dose use are limited. St. John's wort has serious interactions with antidepressants, contraceptives, transplant medicines, and many other drugs.
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Sources & Further Reading

  1. NCCIH NCCIH — St. John's Wort
  2. NCCIH NCCIH — Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

Reviewed by Caroline M. on October 20, 2026 for accuracy against the sources listed above. This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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The matrix has 86 supplements and 7310 pairwise interactions. Click any cell to see the full breakdown.

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