Dried St. John’s Wort is weaker than a fresh plant tincture. But no one responsibly recommends it for serious depressive states. Like the majority of herbal remedies it works best on sub-pathological conditions.
I was self-medicating with what I could find, I was without medical coverage and my business was failing, no income, living off of savings. Prayer was the ultimate resolution of my depression. SAM-e was very helpful. Turmeric had some minor, temporary benefit. St. John’s Wort was like a drug, unpleasant with continued useage. It was dried in gelcaps.