A review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology looks at over-the-counter herbal products and dietary supplements used for depression.
Prof Stella Chan, Charlie Waller Chair in Evidence-based Psychological Treatment, University of Reading, said:
“This review paper synthesised findings from a large volume of research studies investigating the effects of over-the-counter (OTC) products on depressive symptoms. It was appropriately conducted with a systematic search and provided a helpful summary of what had been studied and their findings. However, it is crucially important for readers to understand that this was a narrative review paper, meaning that it was only a summary of the findings reported from existing research papers. These papers would inevitably vary in terms of their scientific quality, including some that might report biased or misleading findings due to limitations such as small sample sizes and poor designs. Meta-analyses (that is, analyses that involve combining all existing data into a single dataset) need to be conducted before conclusive statements can be made about the effectiveness of these products.
“Additionally, this review paper excluded studies on individuals with more complicated co-morbid conditions. Individuals with more complex mental health needs should be particularly vigilant and avoid making personal health decisions based solely upon narrative review papers.”
‘Understanding the research landscape of over-the-counter herbal products, dietary supplements, and medications evaluated for depressive symptoms in adults: a scoping review’ by first author et al. was published in Frontiers in Pharmacology at 05:00 UK time on Tuesday 15th July.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1609605
Declared interests
Prof Stella Chan: No COI