trial of St John's wort in depression

Last reviewed 01/2018

324 patients with mild to moderate depression were recruited from 40 outpatient clinics in Germany.

Patients were randomized to:

  • 75 mg imipramine twice daily, or
  • 250 mg hypericum extract ZE 117 twice daily

The trial was double-blind.

Patients were assessed in the following ways:

  • Hamilton depression rating scale
  • clinical global impression scale
  • patient's global impression scale

Reference:

  • Woelk, H. (2000) Comparison of St John's wort and imipramine for treating depression: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 321, 536-9