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Hippocrates is sometimes called the 'father of medicine' and it is from his name that we get the Hippocratic Oath that all qualified physicians must take before being allowed to practice medicine. So when he prescribes an herb called St. John's wort for a host of illnesses, including the treatment of depression, we should take note. Depression is a debilitating medical condition that must be taken seriously, which is why heavy medication is usually preferred over more natural methods. Yet when the side-effects of so many anti-depressants are so serious, it is important to look at a more natural treatment of depression symptoms.

St. John's wort is used by tens of millions of people worldwide for mild to moderate depression symptoms, so the short answer to the question 'does this herb make a good natural treatment of depression' is: yes. St. John's wort is very effective for the treatment of depression symptoms in a great many number of cases. Doctors in the U.S. are increasingly familiar with the detailed uses and risks of St. John's Wort as a treatment of depression.

In Germany, where it is not sold over the counter, doctors write millions of prescriptions annually for St. John's wort as a treatment of depression, without any reported cases of serious side effects. In Britain, over 2 million people use St. John's wort for treatment of depression symptoms. Figures are not known for how many people use it in the U.S. as an anti-depression herb, but Americans are increasingly familiar with its use. Treatment of depression using St. John's wort does not require a prescription in the U.S. What is necessary is the knowledge of the best way to use it - and how not to use it - since St. John's wort is a powerful herb.

10 things to know about the use of St. John's Wort for treatment of depression

1. It isn't a cure for everyone, but for some, it works incredibly well in reducing depression symptoms.

2. It has been used medicinally for centuries for the treatment of depression, sleep disorders and nerve pain.

3. St. John's Wort is a relatively safe herb.

4. Even for mild or moderate depression, it's not for everyone. Always ask your doctor first.

5. We all experience slightly different depression symptoms, so we each need a tailor-made treatment.

6. Understand fully the potential side-effects and herb-drug interactions.

7. It is thought that St. John's Wort acts as a natural form of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

8. Serotonin level in the body is higher early in the day, so taking St. John's wort in the evening might be more effective. Again, ask your doctor.

9. Anticipate results in four to six weeks.

10. Different brands have different preparations of the herb and so may produce different results. Whichever preparation best deals with your depression symptoms is the one that's right for you.

The most common side-effects are increased sensitivity to sunlight for the skin and eyes, dizziness, digestive symptoms, dry mouth, allergic rash, and fatigue. There are a number of notable herb-drug and herb-food interactions:

- You shouldn't take St. John's Wort at the same time as taking an SSRI treatment of depression (such as Prozac) or certain drugs used for migraine.

- If you want to wean yourself off your prescription treatment of depression, talk to your doctor first to develop a plan.

- You shouldn't take it at the same time as certain anti-coagulants, oral contraceptives, some anti-seizure medication, a number of heart medications, some anti-HIV drugs and a few other medications.

- You shouldn't take St. John's wort while pregnant or breastfeeding.

St. John's wort is definitely worth considering for mildly to moderately depressed people. Proceed with caution; talk with your doctor about this relatively safe, often very effective treatment of depression. Inform your doctor that St. John's Wort was prescribed as medicine by the 'Father of Medicine' Hippocrates!