St. John’s Wort Seller Marketed a ‘Worthless’ Drug, Class Action Lawsuit Claims

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A company that sold a St. John’s wort extract as a depression cure was in fact selling a “worthless, misbranded drug” in violation of consumer protection laws, a new nationwide class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff Amy Roberts filed the class action lawsuit against Blossom Nature, LLC in a California federal court Wednesday. 

She says the company marketed, advertised, and sold Full SpectrumTM St. John’s Wort Extract on its website and on Amazon.com, claiming “St. John’s Wort is a natural treatment for mental health problems” and “St. John’s Wort is effective as prescribed antidepressants but with no side effects.” 

It also claimed that “Blossom Nature’s 1 capsule of 450 mg taken twice a day relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety for 24 hours with No Side Effects.”

However, on Feb. 18 this year, she says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent the company a letter after reviewing its website and product listings. 

In the letter, which is reprinted in the class action lawsuit, the FDA tells Blossom Nature that its claims establish that its product is misbranded as a drug under law, because it says it is intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. 

“Your St. John’s Wort product is not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, this product is a ‘new drug’ under [the law],” it says.

“FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data and information demonstrating that the drug is safe and effective.”

Roberts says, because the product is deemed a misbranded drug that is unlawful to sell, it is worthless. “Plaintiff and the members of the Class purchased the Product during the Class Period and suffered damages as a result.”

She is looking to represent a nationwide class of people who bought the product in the last four years, and is suing for violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unjust Enrichment.

Roberts is seeking certification of the class action, damages, an injunction, fees, costs and a jury trial.

St. John’s wort products have previously been at the center of legal action. In 2017, Whole Foods Market Inc. faced a class action lawsuit alleging it sold a St. John’s wort product that does not contain consistent amounts of the sole active ingredient.

Later that year, another class action was filed against Now Health Group Inc., makers of the popular brand of NOW supplements and other natural products, alleging the company misled consumers regarding its St. John’s Wort pills.

Have you tried St. John’s wort? Let us know what you think of these allegations in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Scott Edelsberg and Christopher Gold of Edelsberg Law, P.A. 

The Blossom Nature St. John’s Wort Class Action Lawsuit is Amy Roberts et al., v. Blossom Nature, LLC, Case No. 2:21-cv-01024-WBS-JDP, in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of California.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

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• Do You Qualify: Zantac Cancer Recall | Heartburn Medication Lawsuit Claim Review
• NOW St. John’s Wort Supplement is Mislabeled, Class Action Says
• Diabetes Drug Metformin Recall Lawsuit Investigation