ConsumerLab Takes On St. Johns Wort

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.In its latest product review, ConsumerLab.com tested 10 dietary supplements containing St. Johns wort, a botanical shown to be effective in addressing mild to moderate forms of depression. However, only four products passed testing, with others failing the ConsumerLab test due to contamination with heavy metals and/or failure to meet label claims about the quantity of active ingredient in the product. Four St. Johns wort supplements contained cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, and one of these products also was contaminated with a small amount of lead that would require a warning label under Californias Proposition 65. A total of three products, including one contaminated with cadmium, did not meet label claims for St. Johns worts constituents hypericin or hyperforin.

ConsumerLab includes the names of companies involved in the reviews in its general news releases, but doesnt indicate which ones passed or failed testing, nor the levels of active ingredients in the products. However, the reports with complete findings are available for purchase from ConsumerLab.

The report on St. Johns wort products provides findings for 10 supplements randomly selected for testing, as well as three additional products that passed the same testing under ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program, whereby companies can pay to have their products tested by ConsumerLab, and information on two products similar to ones that passed but sold under different brand names.