Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{176585,
        author = {Mr Parmeshwar Dnyandev Mane and Mr Naseem Qureshi and Miss Bushra hundekari},
        title = {St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) as a Natural Antidepressant: A Review Article},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {11},
        pages = {0-0},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=176585},
        abstract = {Depression is a widespread and debilitating mental disorder that significantly affects emotional well-being, physical health, and quality of life. While conventional antidepressant medications are effective for many individuals, they are often associated with undesirable side effects and limited efficacy in certain cases. As a result, there is growing interest in herbal alternatives, particularly St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat mood disorders. This review explores the potential of St. John’s Wort as a natural antidepressant by summarizing its phytochemical constituents, mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, safety profile, and possible drug interactions. The active compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, are believed to modulate neurotransmitter activity in the brain, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Numerous clinical trials support its effectiveness in treating mild to moderate depression, often with fewer side effects than standard pharmaceuticals. However, its use requires caution due to significant interactions with various medications. This review concludes that St. John's Wort offers a promising natural alternative for depression management, but further research is necessary to establish standardized dosing, safety, and long-term efficacy.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {April},
        }