ABSTRACT
From the existing literature, St. John’s wort appears to be a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of depression. Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can produce serious cardiac side effects, such as tachycardia and postural hypotension, and many unwanted anticholinergic side effects, including dry mouth and constipation. St. John’s wort has proved to be free of any cardiac, as well as anticholinergic, side effects normally seen with antidepressant medications. Based upon limited studies, St. John’s wort appears to be an acceptable alternative to traditional antidepressant therapy.
