I found this report.
. John's Wort versus other antidepressants
De Smet (1996) also studied hypericum extract in opposition to standard synthetic antidepressants. In his study, he used "the comparator drug in daily amounts below or at the lower end of the usual dose range". All of these studies lasted less than six weeks and as De Smet noted that it takes at least two to four weeks of taking St. John's Wort for it to produce some noticeable effects. In this study, the beneficial effects of St. John's Wort appear to be equal to those of the prescription medications. These findings also suggest that the herbal medication may be safer than prescription antidepressants and cause patients to comply easier.
Linde, Ramirez etc. (1996) found the hypericum extracts to be as effective as standard antidepressants in helping alleviate depression. In this study, there were some trials that compared single hypericum preparations to standard antidepressants and some trials of combinations compared to the prescription antidepressants. In the single hypericum preparations, 63.9% of patients responded positively while 58.5% responded with the standard medication. In the combination trials, 67.7% responded to the hypericum extracts while only 50% responded to the synthetic drugs. The scores on the Hamilton depression scale were a little better in those patients that had taken the single preparation hypericum than those who took the synthetic drugs, once again proving that St. John's Wort is as effective as, if not more, than standard antidepressants.
In Ernst's study (1995), he too found that St. John's Wort is as effective as the standard antidepressants in the treatment of depression.
All studies seem to indicate that hypericum extract works as well as if not better than standard prescription antidepressants. I could not find any studies that contradicted this theory. All trials seem to point to the idea that St. John's Wort is the herbal equivalent of the synthetic antidepressants but without all of the negative side effects.
Another report says
Hypericum is Not Just Another Roadside Weed By: Nancy Kobielak
St. John's Wort is becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of mild to moderate depression throughout both Europe and the United States.
St. John's Wort is being prescribed eight times more frequently than the leading prescription antidepressant in Germany. Presently, St. John's Wort is being taken by more than twenty million consumers in Germany. What can a "Roadside Weed" do for you"?
Well, St. John's Wort, thought of as a troublesome weed by some, is proving helpful to millions of people now suffering from the effects of depression. Recently an article in Newsweek Magazine as well as a feature segment on the popular ABC Network TV show 20/20, have assisted in bringing St. John's Wort to the forefront of public awareness as an alternative herbal therapy.
There are two major reasons for the popularity of St. John's Wort as an herbal remedy for depression. First St. John's Wort produces results equal to or better than synthetic antidepressants in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. St. John's Wort has far fewer and less serious or intense side effects than synthetic antidepressants.
I am not suggesting that there is no need for ADs but for some this could be the place to start.
Honeyb
X
Author
Topic: What Do You Take for Depression? (Read 14172 times)