St John’s wort is an herbal supplement that has been used for centuries to boost mood. Even today, many people use it as a natural treatment for mild to moderate depression. St John’s wort contains several active compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin, which are believed to influence mood.
Studies which have investigated the efficacy of St John’s wort have shown mixed results about its effectiveness for treating symptoms of depression. But while this treatment is not currently recommended by health authorities in the UK, many people still purchase the supplement from pharmacies and health food shops — seeing it as a more natural alternative to antidepressants.
