St. John's Wort vs. SSRIs for Depression: Meta-Analysis
Does St. John’s wort work as well as SSRIs?
St. John’s wort shows comparable effectiveness to SSRIs for mild-to-moderate depression with potentially better tolerability. Meta-analysis of randomized trials demonstrates similar efficacy.
St. John's wort works by inhibiting serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine reuptake similar to SSRIs, but with potentially fewer side effects and better tolerability.
What the data show:
- Against SSRIs: comparable depression symptom reduction
- Side effect profile: potentially fewer side effects than prescription SSRIs
- Treatment type: natural alternative with long traditional history
- Target population: most effective for mild-to-moderate depression
- Evidence base: meta-analysis of randomized trials confirms effectiveness
A meta-analysis published in Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine compared St. John’s wort extract versus SSRIs for depression therapy in adults, providing crucial evidence for patients seeking natural alternatives.