What is the safety and benefit of St. John’s wort?
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Dr. Louis Rosner answered:St. John's wort is an herbal supplement that has been used as an antidepressant for more than 2,000 years. A 1996 analysis of twenty-three clinical studies involving 1,757 people showed St. John's wort alleviated mild to moderate depression, somehow changing the levels of some neurochemicals related to mood, such as serotonin and noradrenaline. It was not shown to help severe depression. Side effects include fatigue and sensitivity of the skin and nerves to sunlight. It may also affect dosage of oral contraceptives, heart medications, blood thinners, anticonvulsants, and other antidepressants.
St. John's wort is an herbal supplement that has been used as an antidepressant for more than 2,000 years. A 1996 analysis of twenty-three clinical studies involving 1,757 people showed St. John's wort alleviated mild to moderate depression, somehow... More
