Nevertheless, here in Germany, where most of the new research has been conducted, high-strength preparations of St. John's wort have become by far the most popular antidepressants on the market. Available in grocery stores and pharmacies, the drug now outsells the nearest competitor, Prozac, by 4 to 1. That, in turn, is fueling a surge of scientific interest worldwide, including in the United States. New clinical studies and articles on St. John's wort appear almost monthly. One book has been published in the United States this year and at least one more is on the way.
People trade information about the herb on more than a dozen Web sites.
And mainstream psychiatrists are beginning to recommend St. John's wort for patients who do not like the standard drugs. Unlike common antidepressants, which can only be prescribed by doctors and must be tested for safety and efficacy before they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, herbal remedies are not required to undergo such testing. Nor are makers allowed to claim specific medical benefits on the label. Nonetheless, doctors may recommend that their patients take herbal remedies. It is an effective substance in a number of people.