In addition, St. John's wort does not require a prescription. 11 St. John's wort is not completely free of side effects, however. Some users have complained of a dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and fatigue. In addition, herbal treatments often are not as potent or as quick to act as conventional treatments. Furthermore, herbal treatments may not produce the desired results and may not be as effective as conventional medicine.
Clinical depression is a serious medical disorder that, in many cases, can be treated.
However, St. John's wort is not a proven therapy for clinical depression. Therefore, there is some risk in taking it to treat clinical depression. In any case, St. John's wort should not be mixed with other standard antidepressants because side effects may result. This is one reason why it is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking. Check with your doctor before taking St. John's wort or any other herb or medication.