Should i take St. John's Wort?

Question

Over the past couple weeks i have been feeling down. I thought that perhaps it was just a phase i was going through. But now i'm starting to wonder if it's minor depression because it's not going away. I'm wondering if i should keep waiting it out...because if possible i would like to not be reliant on pills and have to deal with the side effects of them until i'm older. Also, i'd hate to have to start popping depression pills at the young age i am. What's your advice? What's your experience with St. John's Wort if you have tried it?

Answer 1

5-HTP works well if you KNOW that is a mild depreesion. It will help you sleep better which will help you to be more productive during the day. It helps mood swings and helps with your diet. Sometimes depression makes you stop eating or eat all day! If you aren't sure, talk to you dr. Try writing down the time and situation when you start feeling the blues. If you find the culprit- fix it! You may be able to figure out the trouble quicker and it is cheaper than a psychiatrist and better than drugs. It could also be another health problem so get a good check up with blood work,etc. before you try mental medications, whether natural or not!

Answer 2

there are natural remedies for depression but you need to seek professional help from a qualified therapist. only they, along with a psychiatrist, can determine if you need medication. not all depression medications are extremely dangerous, and you, as the patient, can refuse to take them and just stick to therapy and other activities such as meditation, exercise, changing your diet and lifestyle to help deal with your depression. if you have had it more than 2 weeks, you can be clinically diagnosed with depression. get outside more and get some sunlight, too. some medical conditions, in their early stages, can cause depression, so a check up by a physician might be in order. i wouldn't take st john's wort because it probably won't help. if you want natural remedies, go visit a natural food store and look at their books or ask one of the store associates for assistance. but, don't ignore this because it probably won't go away. untreated, it will start to affect your life.

Answer 3

You might not like this answer, but I am firmly against self treatment of depression. If you experiencing depression symptoms that aren't resolving over a period of time, you really should seek advice from a doctor. If you're against taking medications, make your feelings known. They can't force you to take anything, but they can recommend a good psychologist or therapist for you to talk to and sort things out.

But really. Don't self-treat. Depression needs monitoring and support. It's not something that you can just take SJW anytime you're just feeling a little down. It doesn't work that way.

Answer 4

first you need to figure out what is bothering you. what ever you think about the most .....is ....pretty much what is affecting you. you need to fix that fast. second ....if you feel the need to take meds that is the short way out. we all have times when we are depressed. the fastest way to get over that is to notice when you are feeling that way and pin point what brought it on...then get rid of it. if you take meds it will only mascaraed the problems. you have to find the way to get out the dump.... natural cure is some good old SUNSHINE it gives vitamin D ....it stimulates chemicals in the brain to motivate the body.... give it a try.... i have tried it, but found 5- HTP to be better, because it acts on the serotonine levels that change your moods. now I am clean and happy....because I nicked my problem right in the butt.

Answer 5

It works for minor cases of depression, so does Hypericum also available in Health Food section of stores. Remember if its minor simple things like good diet, water and plenty of exercise even just a brisk 1/2 hour walk will help.

Answer 6

You should see a doctor it might not be depression that is for the doctor to know he will run some test to see you may not need pills try him first

Answer 7

The problem with herbel supplements is they aren't regulated by the FDA. So, you really don't know just how much you are getting or even if it's the real stuff. Also, you have to be careful if you are taking any prescriptions. Talk with your family doctor.

Answer 8

Be careful if you are on hormonal birth control. Some herbal products can cause them to be less effective! That being said, I don't consider herbal remedies to be the same as drug therapy. If you want to try it, why not?

Answer 9

While it is a natural remedy it is still a nutri-ceutical, it has a draw back if you have low blood pressure. I would ask my family health practitioner before I would try anything like this.

Answer 10

It works for some people. Give it a try.