St. John's wort is total bunk from a medicinal standpoint, absolutely useless according to the later legitimate studies, plus it has unpleasant side effects, most obviously gastric upset.
Kava I dunno...probably the same story.
Natural remedy fads run their course until the next one comes along.
In general, pills are not the answer.
Marijuana, according to some interesting stuff I've been reading, is beginning to look like a prime candidate for the cause of the huge, astounding epidemic of long-term depression in the US. The evidence is suggesting that it causes permanent changes in brain function, as do (wait for it!) so-called "anti-depressant" drugs.
Healthy brain function is more fragile than we've previously thought.
In general, avoid psychoactive drugs, licit and illicit, and that goes for the uber-scary hypnotics like Ambien and Halcion.
Nothing works for stress like heavy exercise.
