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Sue Maltais wrote: > > Did anyone see 20/20 last night? They did a report on an herb called > St. > John's Wort that is having great success in helping people with mild > to > moderate depression. I can't remember the Drs. name but he's written a > book > on it, and Dr. Tim Johnson was quite enthused about it. > > Sue, in Mass. Sue, I did see that report on twenty twenty. While I tend to be skeptical about such reports Jeineke from Harvard certainly adds some credibility to the enthusiasm. I have not reviewed the European studies. If they were well conducted double-blind studies with large numbers of people involved it certainly would be encouraging. I do find it hard to believe that there are almost no side effects. If you gave placebo to a group of people you would get a large number of reports of "side effects". If a substance is able to have as great a positive effect as they claim it would certainly stand to reason that it would have negative effects on a certain portion of the population. Also drug studies regarding treatment of depression are complicated by the fact that about 1/3 of people taking placebo get better either through spontaneous remission or suggestion. In my practice of Psychiatry there were a large number of people who improved prior to when any pharmacologic effect of the drugs prescribed should have occurred. I presume the act of coming to a doctor and hearing the positive prognosis of clinical depression itself is helpful. It certainly sounds possible that the ST. Johns Wort may be useful for depression. It may contain a substance that effects known or unknown neurotransmitters. Having said that I would especially would like to warn my fellow PWP that if it does effect neurotransmitters it has the possibility of having effects on PD either positive or negative and be careful if you choose to try it and discuss it with your neurologist. Because something occurs in nature does not make it inherently better- or worse than a substance manufactured in a laboratory. Lithium is an element but is also a powerful drug with both therapeutic effects and serious side effects. Tobacco and opium also occur in nature as does digitalis. The report is interesting but it is premature for statements to be made like that of Barbara Walters- that this is one of the most important stories that they ever reported on. That kind of media hype does a disservice to the public, science, medicine and I think to those that support serious research into alternative medicine. Charlie -- ********************************************************** CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D. MADISON, WISCONSIN **********************************************************