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Karlsruhe/Nurnberg (pte013/11.02.2005/10:30) - A herbal remedy is an effective treatment for depression as general medication, according to a German study. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, researchers compared the effectiveness of St John's wort to the anti-depressant paroxetine in treating moderate and severe depression. The team found that half of those with the condition improved when given the herb, compared with a third using the drug. A total of 244 people were involved in the study.
The study by Karlsruhe-based Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals http://www.schwabepharma.com and the Institute for Medical Research Management and Biometrics http://www.imerem.de in Nurnberg found that patients on paroxetine - also known as Seroxat - suffered more side effects. In both cases the most common side effect was stomach upsets. "Our results support the use of St John's wort as an alternative to standard anti-depressants in moderate to severe depression, especially as it well tolerated," said Meinhard Kieser, the report's co-author.
Previous studies on the herb have produced mixed results about whether it is effective in treating more serious forms of depression. The herb, which is extracted from bright yellow star-shaped flowers, has been used for centuries as a folk medicine for anxiety and stress. "There is evidence that it can be used to treat mild to moderate depression but the problem with St John's wort is that it is not regulated. You just don't know what you are getting," said a spokeswoman for the Depression Alliance. "We would not advise anyone to use St John's wort without consulting their GP," she added.
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