[The administration of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in the treatment of depression]

Over the last years St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been extensively studied for its potential antidepressant activity. In Poland, it has not been approved yet as an antidepressant drug by the State Committee of Pharmaceutical Agents and Medical Materials Registration. However, since this agent is widely and commonly used (on a parapharmaceutical base), and also taking into account that possible hazard of such treatment and the risk of interactions with other drugs (which have been reported)--it seems reasonable to review and summarise the collected up-to-date data concerning these issues.