Roman also takes it, to ease symptoms of mild depression associated with premenstrual syndrome. Great Earth Vitamins, which has four local stores, also has seen a dramatic spike in sales of St. Johnswort, says owner-operator Jeff Burke. But actually it was doing quite well before. Information had been trickling in. The health-food industry is thrilled with St. Johnswort's big splash.
Scientists believe that depression is caused by low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical.
Roman claims herbal medicines have been slow to gain favor with modern physicians because traditionally, dosage has been difficult to standardize. The amount of hypericin in a flower or bud varies by when it was harvested and other factors. Many buying St. Johnswort for the first time are people who say they were not already taking a pharmaceutical anti-depressant, Roman reports. Burke and Roman both say they advise customers to tell their doctors they are taking the herb. Nevada's largest daily newspaper.