Millions of people have tried St. John's wort, an herbal remedy, as an alternative or natural treatment for depression . Is it effective? Module: video St. John's Wort for Treating Depression Is St. John's wort a good alternative to antidepressants? Learn more from WebMD about the mood-boosting potential of this common herbal remedy. 66 /delivery/c9/e2/c9e24c09-d1b4-4566-905a-b09086c9978b/wbz-st-johns-wort-treating-depression_,1000k,400k,750k,.mp4 8/3/2017 2:56:00 PM 1280 720 /webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/article_thumbnails/video/wibbitz/wbz-st-johns-wort-treating-depression.jpg 091e9c5e8177fa2a

What is a dietary supplement? The FDA says dietary supplements include herbs like St John's wort, vitamins , minerals, and amino acids. They come in pills, liquids, and powders, and are intended to supplement your diet. They aren't regulated the same way as medications are.

What is St. John's wort? The St. John's wort plant has yellow flowers and is a weed in some parts of the U.S. It has been used for medicinal purposes in other parts of the world for thousands of years. Many studies have evaluated the effectiveness of St. John's wort. Some studies have shown a benefit, but other studies have not. If you choose to use it, be sure to learn all you can about it, and check with your doctor before taking it. St. John's wort can interact with medicines or supplements you may be taking and may have side effects.

Does scientific evidence support the use of St. John's wort for depression? There is some scientific evidence that St. John's wort may help treat mild depression , and the benefit seems similar to that of antidepressants . But two large studies, one sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), showed that the herb wasn't more effective than a placebo in treating moderately severe major depression . The conventional drugs also studied didn't fare any better than a placebo, either.

How do I take St. John's wort? St. John's wort is most often taken in liquid or capsules. The dried herb may also be used as a tea. The most common dose used in studies has been 300 milligrams, three times a day as a standardized extract. Preparations in the U.S. have varied amounts in them. So be careful to note how much you're getting.