Feeling depressed and unable to get out of the downward spiral? Dr. Michael Karlfeldt, ND, PhD talks about a natural, herbal treatment for depression, St. John’s Wort.
St. John’s Wort is best known as a natural remedy for mild to moderate depression, and is also being studied for other reasons. Numerous studies in Europe and more recently, in the U.S. have found that St. John’s Wort is more effective than a placebo and as effective as tricyclic antidepressants for short term treatment, 1-3 months of mild to moderate depression.
The herb appears to cause fewer side effects than many anti-depressants, which is one of the main reasons it has become so popular. It has also been shown to demonstrate anti-viral activity against Herpes Simplex virus type I and II, Influzena virus, and Epstein Barr virus. It it even being studied as being able to fight against HIV.