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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Inositol vs St. John's Wort: Inositol has the stronger overall evidence (7 vs 7.8/10); they're alternatives for support mood — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Inositol wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Probably helps
6 of 10 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Likely helps
6 of 8 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
2-4g for general anxiety; 12-18g for OCD/panic
Divided into 2-3 doses, With or without food
Myo-inositol powder (most economical for higher doses)
300mg 3x daily (900mg total) (a typical label dose, not the dose used in the cited trial, which gave 600 mg once a day or 600 mg twice a day)
With meals, Divided into 2-3 doses
Standardized extract (0.3% hypericin)
and 21 more not shown
4-6 weeks
6-12 weeks
3-6 months
First 1-2 weeks
4-6 weeks
4-8 weeks
During use
First 1-2 weeks
Antenatal dietary supplementation with myo-inositol for preventing gestational diabetes
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2023) · Meta analysis · n=1319
For the primary neonatal outcomes, only one study measured the risk of a large-for-gestational-age infant and found myo-inositol was associated with both appreciable benefit and harm (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.65 to 3.02; 1 study, 234 infants; low-certainty evidence).
Inositol Nutritional Supplementation for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Nutrients (2022) · Meta analysis · n=1321
Pooled results were expressed as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
Antioxidants for female subfertility
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020) · Meta analysis · n=7760
Due to the very low-quality of the evidence we are uncertain whether antioxidants improve live birth rate compared with placebo or no treatment/standard treatment (odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36 to 2.43; P < 0.001, I2 = 29%; 13 RCTs, 1227 women).
St John's wort for major depression
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2008) · Meta analysis · n=5489
In nine larger placebo-controlled trials the combined response rate ratio was 1.28 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.49), and in nine smaller trials 1.87 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.87). Placebo-controlled results showed marked heterogeneity.
Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in Milder Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Neuropsychopharmacology reports (2025) · Meta analysis · n=1049
Eight RCTs, 1049 participants. St. John's Wort was analysed in two trials, both comparing it to fluoxetine.
Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Plant Extracts on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Stroke Patients
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025) · Meta analysis · n=6599
48 RCTs covering 6599 stroke patients and nine plant extracts.
Both points come from one randomised, double-blind trial of the WS 5570 extract in 332 outpatients with mild or moderate major depression (PMID 16796730). Over 6 weeks, HAM-D scores fell 11.6 points on 600 mg once daily, 10.8 points on 600 mg twice daily and 6.0 points on placebo. Both doses beat placebo with comparable efficacy, so the curve is flat above 600 mg, although remission was more common at 1,200 mg. Adverse events were low in all groups. The Cochrane review (PMID 18843608, 29 trials) supports efficacy over placebo but did not compare doses, and no cited trial reports 300 mg, 900 mg or 1,800 mg a day, so no optimum is named.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Inositol has a higher evidence score (7/10 vs 7.8/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For support mood, St. John's Wort has a higher relevance score (92 vs 50).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
Berberine, inositol, magnesium vs the cinnamon/chromium hype — and the med-interaction warning.
Selenium helps; iodine can WORSEN Hashimoto’s. The honest take on "thyroid support".
Folate is essential; inositol + CoQ10 are the best bets — but conception evidence is limited.
Inositol (40:1), and the supporting cast for insulin resistance, cycles & fertility.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.