The plant extract, St John’s wort, is effective in the treatment of major depression, new research indicates.

The findings back up previous studies that show the extract is effective in treating mild to moderate depressive disorder.

St John’s wort has long been used to treat depressive illnesses. The extract used to be available in Ireland over the counter, but in 2000, the then-Minister for Health, Brian Cowen, made it available by prescription only. This angered thousands of people who regularly used it. However it can be imported from other jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland, as long as this is for personal use.

A team of Cochrane researchers reviewed 29 trials, which together included almost 5,500 patients with symptoms of major depression. In the trials comparing St John’s wort to other remedies, including antidepressants, the extract was found to be equally effective. Furthermore, fewer patients dropped out of these trials as a result of adverse effects.

“Overall, we found that the St. John’s wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants, with fewer side effects,” said lead researcher, Klaus Linde of the Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany.

However despite the findings, the researchers said that they were anxious not to make generalisations about the plant’s use as an antidepressant. They insisted that people always consult their doctor in the first instance, particularly as St John’s wort can sometimes affect the actions of other drugs.

“Using a St. Johns wort extract might be justified, but products on the market vary considerably, so these results only apply to the preparations tested,” they said.

For more information on depression, see...http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/depression/