St. John’s wort has received widespread attention as a natural and effective way to treat depression. Sales of St. John’s wort extracts have skyrocketed in recent years as more and more Americans self-medicate with this herb, which is available over the counter.
The selling points of St. John’s wort are that it is “natural,” it causes fewer side effects than antidepressants, and it eliminates the need to work with a doctor while helping to reduce depressive moods. A spate of clinical trials conducted in Europe found that St. John’s wort has antidepressant activity in mild to moderate cases of depression.
