Indication: Somatoform disorders

Source: Psychosomatic Medicine, 2004;66:538-547.

Research: Researchers treated 184 patients diagnosed with somatoform disorders (physical symptoms that seem as if they are part of a general medical condition, however no general medical condition, other mental disorder, or substance is present), but without major depression. Half of the patients received 300 mg of a St. John’s Wort extract twice daily for six weeks, while the other patients received placebos.

Results: At the end of the study, just over 44% of the patients taking St. John’s Wort described themselves as im­proved, compared with only 25% of those taking placebos. After evaluations, the researchers classified 45% of patients taking St. John’s Wort as “responders” to therapy. However, only 21% of those taking placebos were considered responders.