How effective is St Johns wort?
It is not clear how well St John’s wort works in depression. A recent systematic review of St John’s Wort (that reviewed many research trials) concluded that … “Current evidence regarding hypericum extracts is inconsistent and confusing. In patients who meet criteria for major depression, several recent placebo-controlled trials suggest that the tested hypericum extracts have minimal beneficial effects while other trials suggest that hypericum and standard antidepressants have similar beneficial effects.” So, St John’s wort may have some effect on easing depression in some cases. It may be worth a try if you have mild depression. However, it is probably not appropriate to buy it ‘over the counter’ if you have moderate or severe depression. Generally, you should see a doctor for advice on treatment if you have moderate or severe depression. How quickly does St John’s wort work? Like prescription antidepressants, it takes 2-4 weeks for the effect of St John’s wort to build up fully. Ar
