Does St. Johns Wort Help Depression?

Depression is a common condition among Americans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that depression affects approximately 16 percent of individuals who seek medical attention for any reason, and the use of antidepressant medications in the United States doubled between 1995 and 2002. However, antidepressant medications are frequently associated with side effects, so many people turn to natural remedies, such as St. John's wort. Always discuss herbal treatments for depression with your doctor.

St. John's Wort Medicinal Properties

Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Herbal Healing," reports that St. John's wort possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antidepressant and pain-relieving properties. Traditionally, the herb has been used to treat burns, wounds, headaches, cold sores, various tumors, bowel disorders and depression. Balch relates that St. John's wort was used in medieval England to dispel insanity caused by evil spirits.

St. John's Wort Active Ingredients

According to "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," St. John's wort contains several active substances, such as flavonoids, anthracenes, volatile oils, catechins and sugar alcohols, which account for its reputed medicinal properties. A 2006 review in "Clinical Pharmacokinetics" reports that only one of the plant's constituents, hyperforin, enters the brains of animals in appreciable quantities.

St. John's Wort for Depression

St. John's wort is generally accepted as an effective means of treatment for mild to moderate depression. It is widely used in Europe to treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. A 2008 "Cochrane Database Review" demonstrated that St. John's wort is more effective than placebo for treating major depression, as well. Furthermore, it is similar in efficacy to standard antidepressants, but it has fewer side effects, notes the review.

Considerations and Precautions

St. John's wort is useful for treating mild to moderate depression, although its use for major depression remains questionable in the minds of many mental health experts. St. John's wort is known to interact with a variety of medications, including other antidepressants, oral contraceptives, digoxin, antibiotics, anesthetics and theophylline. It may also interfere with the absorption of iron and other minerals due to its tannin content. Because St. John's wort is sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S., the strength, purity and consistency of different preparations can vary considerably. If you think St. John's wort would be helpful for you, talk with your physician.