Would you recommend St John's Wort?

Question

For treatment of depression? Or can you give me any other non prescription methods?

Answer 1

I've heard that it works but don't actually know anyone who has taken it. I do know that if you are already on anti-depressants, you need to avoid St John's Wort as it has a bad interaction with them.

Although I've been on anti-depressants myself for the past 7 years, I don't consider them a cure or a treatment in themself. I think we are often too hasty to pop pills for everything and expect the pills to do all the work. I think of my anti-depressants as an "assistant" in my healing from / dealing with my depression.

Even if depression is caused by biological or chemical imbalances, there are a lot of personal and environmental things we can, and ought, to do to ease the symptoms.

Exercise is one of the best natural anti-depressants. Even if all you can manage is a five or ten minute walk in the fresh air, that's a good start. If you can walk in a pleasant environment like a garden or park or under an open sky (I sometimes go up on the roof of my building and walk there, it's beautiful to be among the clouds and the blue sky, I walk, think, talk to myself and sometimes even sing up there!)

Drinking plenty of water helps, mainly because it's good for your health and fights fatigue - and when you're tired AND depressed it just feels worse. I drink 3 litres a day (it's also great for your skin, and compliments about how fresh/young you look are VERY anti-depressing!!)

Dealing with your stress of course will make a difference - talking to a counselor or joining a support group can give you more comfort and confidence.

And oddly enough, I find that de-cluttering, even just one drawer or shelf at a time, has a hugely uplifting effect. My favourite book on the subject is "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston. It's an amazing book and is more about why we clutter things up, the effects of clutter, and how to get over our psychological obstacles to de-cluttering. (It's not so much about wind-chimes and ceramic animals, in spite of the misleading name which might put some people off.) It's actually been the most impactful book I've read in the last two years (and I read a LOT) and de-cluttering my home has really had an amazing effect on how I feel about my self and my life. I really do recommend it.

If you're willing to make a holistic commitment to helping yourself in these simple ways, you can make a huge difference in how depression impacts your life. Good luck!

Answer 2

No, here are some side effects:

St. John's wort may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Other side effects can include anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, or sexual dysfunction.
Research shows that St. John's wort interacts with some drugs. The herb affects the way the body processes or breaks down many drugs; in some cases, it may speed or slow a drug's breakdown. Drugs that can be affected include:
Indinavir and possibly other drugs used to control HIV infection
Irinotecan and possibly other drugs used to treat cancer
Cyclosporine, which prevents the body from rejecting transplanted organs
Digoxin, which strengthens heart muscle contractions
Warfarin and related anticoagulants
Birth control pills
Antidepressants
When combined with certain antidepressants, St. John's wort may increase side effects such as nausea, anxiety, headache, and confusion.
St. John's wort is not a proven therapy for depression. If depression is not adequately treated, it can become severe. Anyone who may have depression should see a health care provider. There are effective proven therapies available.
It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including St. John's wort. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.

The herbal stuff is not approved by the FDA.

Answer 3

Treating depression varies with the individual. If you are on birth control please don't use st john's wart it can make it worse. I'd try cognitive therapy if you want to avoid meds, it helps you exercise how you think so that you eventually lose negative thinking patterns. The downside is that it takes time and it can also take a few professionals before you can find someone you are comfortable enough to talk to. Non-prescription methods can be just as strong and serious as prescriptions. It can take years before you find something that works for you, but don't give up, it's worth it. Whatever you do make sure you let a doctor know they will know what interacts with what.

Answer 4

Hi Al i can recommend St Johns Wart for mild depression,for anxiety i can recommend passiflora.Good on ya for wanting to try the natural approach,a good vit B supplement is also a good idea as the B vits help to stabilize mood. Best of luck sweetie Blessings

Answer 5

Herbal remedies are unreliable and can be dangerous due to the fact that they aren't regulated by the FDA. Your safest and most responsible option is to see a mental health care provider. Prescription medicines are not always the answer, sometimes just speaking with a psychiatrist to help you work through depression can be all the help you need.

Answer 6

Have you ever wondered about the reason of our existence? Have you ever wondered why we die, and where we go after death? What will happen to us in the end? Have you ever asked yourself why God made the earth and all that is in it under man’s dominion? Why were the night and the day, and the sun and the moon created? What are we supposed to do during our lifetime? Were we created just to eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves before we die? As one poet put it:
“I do not know whence I have come.
I saw my feet walking on the road.
As they please I go and stop.
What am I doing here?
How did the road find me?
I do not know! I do not know! I do not know! ”

God has emphasized in many verses of the Qur’an that He did not create us without purpose. He said: “What! Do you think that I created you simply in jest? And that you would not be returned to Me?” (23:115) He also said: “What! Does man think that he will be left to roam at his will?” (75:36) In addition, He said: “Do people think that they will be left to say: “We believe,” and they will not be held accountable?” (29:2)
Indeed, God Has created human beings for a purpose and with a purpose: TO WORSHIP HIM ALONE (Monotheism). He said: “I have not created the Jinn and humankind except only to worship Me. I don't require provision or feeding from them. Surely Allah is the All-provider, the Possessor of all strength, the Firm.” (51:56-58) In fact, all prophets told their people to worship God alone (Monotheism) and shun worshipping His creation (Paganism). God said: “I assuredly sent among every people a messenger with the command: Worship Allah and avoid worshipping false gods.” (16:36)
Prophet Abraham, for example, believed in One God, who had no partner. Anyone who holds a different understanding of God than this has contradicted the religion of Abraham and follows falsehood. God says in the Qur’an: “Those who reject the religion of Abraham make fools of themselves.” (2:130)
Prophet Jesus was reported in the Gospels to have said: “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’.” (Luke 4:8)
Prophet Jacob also said (in the Qur'an) to his people: “Indeed, those which you worship besides Allah are only names that you and your forefathers have established, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the right religion, but most people do not understand.” (12:40)
Read more about the TRUE BELIEVE which supported by the Miracle Holy Quran :
http://www.islam-guide.com/islam-guide.pdf

http://www.harunyahya.com

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Real happiness and peace can be ONLY found in submitting to the commands of the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. God has said in the Qur’an: (Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.)
(Qur’an, 13:28)

On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Qur’an will have a life of hardship in this world. God has said:
(But whoever turns away from the Qur’an, he will have a hard life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.) (Qur’an, 20:124)
This may explain why some people commit suicide while they enjoy the material comfort money can buy. For example, look at Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), formerly a famous pop singer who used to earn sometimes more than $150,000 a night. After he converted to Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he had not found in material success.
To read the stories of people who have converted to Islam, please visit

http://www.islam-guide.com/stories

At this web page, you can read the thoughts and feelings of these people, who are from different countries and have different backgrounds and levels of education.
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Answer 7

I've found some mild relief with it.

Answer 8

it didn't help me at all.