Additionally, the few reported side effects of St. John's Wort are all reversible. No one has ever died from taking St. John's Wort. One problem with St. John's Wort is that it may take up to 6-8 weeks to fully appreciate the positive effects, although some response should be seen in 2 weeks. Remember, depression is a chronic disease and medications must be taken daily to work. Another problem with taking St. John's Wort, or any other herbal preparation, is that while prescription drugs are carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, one really does not know what is in most herbal products.
Some herbal preparations contain none of the active ingredients they claim.
Gilbert Weise, Sr., past president of the American Pharmacists' Association has carefully evaluated the products of many major American herbal manufacturers and recommends products by Solaray, Solgar and Nature's Way. If a person is taking prescription medications for mild to moderate depression they should not suddenly stop these drugs and starting St. John's Wort without first consulting their doctor. Also, although many take SSRI's and St. John's Wort together, one should never take St. John's Wort with MAO inhibitors such as Nardil or Parnate. This book is concise, easily read, and contains summaries of many major clinical trials. I do not mean to imply that St. John's Wort is the only or even the best treatment for mild to moderate depression.