St. John's Wort - depression report

[Guest guest]

I was searching Google news and found the following story which just

posted about an hour ago. Nothing new, but it's nice to see it in

the mass media.

 

Study: St. John's Wort Just As Effective as Paxil in Treating

Depression

 

A new study published in the online edition of the British Medical

Journal shows that the herbal supplement St. John's Wort is just as

effective as the prescription drug Paxil in treating moderate and

even severe depression.

 

The study examined 251 patients who were suffering from major

depression. Half of the patients were given 900 milligrams of St.

John's Wort and half 20 milligrams of Paxil. Dosages of either

treatment were increased if the patient did not respond to the

medication.

 

After six weeks of treatment, 71 percent of the subjects taking St.

John's Wort showed improvement while 60 percent of those taking

Paxil had a positive response to treatment. Roughly half of the

patients taking the herbal supplement and 35 percent of the patients

taking the prescription drugs reported the eliminiation of their

depression.

 

Previous research had not shown that St. John's Wort was effective

at treating major cases of depression. It was considered helpful in

treating minor cases but not severe depression.

 

One thing that patients should be aware of is that St. John's Wort

can reduce the effectiveness of other medications a patient may be

taking. Patients should consult a doctor before taking the herbal

supplement.

 

The research was funded by the German company that manufactures St.

John's Wort which must be taken under consideration. Still, it

appears patients may have more choices when it comes to treating

depression.

 

Brad Kurtzberg