Linde, Klaus

St John s wort is a yellow flowering plant that was first used medicinally by the ancient Greeks as a diuretic and a treatment for wounds and menstrual disorders. This herbal remedy is widely prescribed in Germany, where it has been studied extensively in clinical trials as a treatment for depression. In most countries, including the UK, it is available over the counter. In Ireland it is available only by prescription. Recently, a team of German scientists led by Klaus Linde at the University of Munich published a comprehensive review of 29 clinical trials of St John s wort, involving more than 5,000 depressed patients. They concluded that it is more effective than placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants in the treatment of major depression. 

Klaus Linde, Miinchener Modell - Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, Technical University/Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Kaiserstr. 9, D-80801 Munich, Germany e-mail Muenchener.Modell lrz.uni-muenchen.de... 

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