St John's wort for major depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In some countries extracts of the plant Hypericum perforatum L. (popularly called St. John's wort) are widely used for treating patients with depressive symptoms.

Objectives

To investigate whether extracts of hypericum are more effective than placebo and as effective as standard antidepressants in the treatment of major depression; and whether they have fewer adverse effects than standard antidepressant drugs.

Search strategy

Trials were searched in computerised databases, by checking bibliographies of relevant articles, and by contacting manufacturers and researchers.

Selection criteria

Trials were included if they: (1) were randomised and double-blind; (2) included patients with major depression; (3) compared extracts of St. John's wort with placeb

SUBMITTER: Linde K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7032678 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature