J Nerv Ment Dis. 1998 Aug; 186(8): 500-1.

Is St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) an effective antidepressant?

Cott JM, Fugh-Berman A.

Adult Psychopharmacology Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA.

SJW is a remarkably safe antidepressant with an apparently unique mode of action. Although it has demonstrated efficacy in mild and moderate depression when compared with placebo or tricyclic antidepressants, several research areas beg to be explored. Its effects should be compared with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Studies in severely depressed patients are lacking, as are studies on its utility as a therapeutic adjunct to standard antidepressants.