Overview of Research
Numerous clinical trials have evaluated St. John's Wort for depression. Taken together, they make a reasonable case for it as a safe, natural option for mild-to-moderate depression.
Across this body of work, St. John's Wort tends to perform comparably to — and in some trials better than — prescription antidepressants, while showing a more favorable side-effect profile. Comparative trials have measured it against drugs including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Tofranil.
Review of Clinical Trials
A short bibliography of key peer-reviewed studies behind these conclusions.
See the trials →What Makes a Good Study?
How to tell strong, reliable research from weak or misleading studies.
Learn to read studies →Hyperforin Mechanism of Action
The biochemistry of how hyperforin influences neurotransmitters.
How it works →