The objective of the proposed study is to assess the efficacy of the herbal St. John’s Wort (SJW) in the treatment of symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The approach is to conduct a 12-week, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group pilot trial with 30 subjects in each of two arms. The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) will be the primary measure for evaluating OCD. An intention-to-treat analysis will be done to compare the two arms.

Inclusion criteria

• Female patients: at least 2 years post-menopausal, surgically sterile, or practicing a medically acceptable method of contraception.
• Meets DSM-IV criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder

Exclusion criteria

• Primary diagnosis of major depression, dysthymia, panic disorder, social phobia, schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, or PTSD
• Substance abuse or dependence in the past 6 months
• Vascular dementia or primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type
• Treatment with MAOIs, TCAs, SSRIs, venlafaxine, nefazodone, remeron, citalopram, or bupropion within 14 days of first visit.
• Fluoxetine within 5 weeks of first visit.
• Failure to respond to at least two adequate antidepressant trials for obsessive compulsive disorder
• Investigational drugs within 30 days of baseline
• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to St. John’s Wort
• Currently in behavior therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder

ALL INQUIRIES WILL UNDERGO A PHONE SCREENING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY MEET ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS.