1) It is wise to have a thorough checkup to rule out other sources of symptoms that suggest depression, before taking any natural remedy.

2) Seek an expert in mood disorders if you ever feel manic, or excessively `speedy'. Don't try to treat this yourself.

3) Seek help for moderate to severe depression. Your psychiatrist may agree to working with natural substances such as St. John's Wort with you. Unfortunately some psychiatrists are still skeptical of the value of all such treatments, even those that have reasonable scientific support. You may attempt to overcome this by presenting your findings of credible research on it. You may have to consider changing psychiatrists, if the person you're seeing cannot present adequate reason not to try what you propose. However, keep in mind that in many cases, it is indeed imperative to use "man-made" medicines.

4) Do ample research on the treatment you are considering. Look at several different sources of information. Find a reliable source of the substance. Know the possible side effects, and drug interactions. Someone who is depressed may find all this thought and effort difficult. Recruit help from a loved one, if possible. You do need to take some action to treat your depression, as speedily as an informed decision can be made. Untreated depression is not a benign condition, but, rather, is one which poses serious risks to many aspects of health.

5) Try only one remedy at a time, unless you are working with a physician knowledgeable in the possible interactions. Taking a handful of assorted alleged treatments may be dangerous in combination. Also, it makes it difficult to decipher which, if any, may actually be effective for you.

6) If you're already taking medications of any kind, don't stop, nor add anything, without consulting your doctor.
 
7) If a pharmaceutical treatment you are taking for depression is already working well, there's seldom a reason to try to replace it. The great hazard of attempting this is when:
a) you discontinue an effective drug,
b) if the proposed natural substitute doesn't work for you,
c) you may find that when you attempt to return to your former prescription, it will no longer counter your depression.
d) This can cause a difficult wait while another drug that works for you is found.
e) There is the possibility that no other drug(s) proves effective, which could prove calamitous.