St. John’s Wort as Effective as Drugs

Sylvia Booth Hubbard

St. John’s wort has been used for centuries to combat depression, and is still used by European doctors. Most studies, however, supported its use only to treat mild to moderate depression. But a German review of 29 clinical trials that included almost 5,500 patients suffering from major depression found that St. John’s wort might be as effective as drugs—and with fewer side effects than prescription antidepressants.

The randomized, double-blind studies compared severely depressed patients treated with St. John’s wort to those treated with either placebo or tri-/tetracyclic antidepressants such as Remeron, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. In one of the studies, depression improved in 57 percent of those patients taking the herb three times a day, as compared to a 45 percent improvement in patients taking the prescription antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil). Those taking the prescription drug were also more likely to report side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness and nausea.

St. John’s wort is an extract of the plant Hypericum perforatum L. and contains at least seven groups of active components. Scientists aren’t sure exactly which ones are effective, and since herbs aren’t regulated, potency may vary from brand to brand. The St. John’s wort products used in the studies were high-quality products. Daily dosages ranged from 500 to 1,200 milligrams.

“There is not patent protection on herbs; therefore, more or less anyone can market hypericum extracts,” said lead reviewer Klaus Linde of the Center for Complementary Medicine Research at Technical University in Munich.

Since St. John’s wort can interact with drugs including those that lower blood-pressure and cholesterol, experts suggest you talk with your doctor before taking St. John’s wort.