St John’s wort: Questions – Answers

Answers to Patients’ Frequently Asked Questions

What will this herb do for me?

St John’s wort is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. It may also be useful for PMS symptoms, SAD, OCD and for menopausal and premenopausal women with psychological and psychosomatic symptoms. The oily preparations are also used to treat burns, injuries, allergic dermatitis and muscle pain.

When will it start to work?

It often starts to exert beneficial effects in depression within 2-4 weeks of continuous use.

Are there any safety issues?

St John’s wort is well tolerated and has far less side-effects than pharmaceutical antidepressant drugs, but it can interact with a number of different medications.