St. John's wort

In the field of complementary therapies for depression, one of the most studied options is a plant known by its botanical name Hypericum perforatum, commonly called St. John's wort. Although in some settings it is seen as a weed, its use for medicinal purposes has a long history, especially for mild emotional disorders.

Many people consider it a natural alternative for improving mood, and some even see it as a possible substitute for conventional antidepressants in certain cases. The plant is mainly used in extract form, available in capsules or liquid solutions.

Its effectiveness has been associated with its ability to influence brain chemistry, particularly in the regulation of compounds such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, key neurotransmitters in emotional balance. In this sense, its action is reminiscent of that of reuptake inhibitors used in psychiatry, although with a milder profile.

Research results and clinical limitations

Several clinical trials have evaluated the therapeutic impact of this plant, especially in mild and moderate depressive disorders. Some scientific reviews, which analyzed thousands of patients, found promising results: in certain cases, its effectiveness was comparable to that of synthetic antidepressants, but with a lower incidence of side effects.

However, efficacy is not uniform. In cases of severe depression, studies agree that the benefits of this herb do not exceed the placebo effect. This suggests that its therapeutic potential may be limited to milder depressive disorders or to people who do not tolerate other treatments well.

Precautions and possible adverse effects

Some side effects may include sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, or changes in concentration. In addition, its ability to alter the action of certain medications has raised concerns in the clinical setting.

This plant may interfere with hormone treatments, anticoagulants, immun