Saint John's Wart?

Question

I have depression and I don't like doctors or pills. I just don't beleive in them. I heard of St johns wart which a friend is taking and is very confedent in it. she saw results instantly. I'm just wondering if anyone has any other good/ bad experiences. i'm already seeing a doctor and a therapist but haven't gotten to ask them yet.

Answer 1

If results happen instantly it's most likely a placebo effect, as in, it's all in her head. Medicines for deppression even the natural ones like herbs as in St. John's Wort take at least a week to start working.

I've heard a lot of good things about St. John's Worts, from books but have never talked to anyone who actually did take them. you may want to see an Herbalist, if you deppression persists see a psychiatrist or psychologyist.

Answer 2

Clearly St. John's wart's most prevalent medicinal use is as an antidepressant. Studies, mostly conducted in Germany, have found that St. John's wart reduces feelings of depression, anxiety, apathy and worthlessness. Researchers are not totally sure how St. John's wort chemically acts on the brain as a treatment for depression, but they believe that components of the herb that may impact depression include hypericin, xanthones and flavonoids. St. John's wart appears to be most effective for mild to moderate depression rather than for severe depression.

The only known potential side effect of St. John's wart is that it may cause phototoxicity in fair-skinned people, and it therefore may be prudent far these people not to expose themselves to strong sunlight when taking the herb. At the same time, however there have been no reported cases of phototoxicity in humans despite its wide use in Europe. In a study of 3,250 people using St. John's wart, only 2.4 percent experienced side effects of any kind. To date, no studies have examined the long-term effects of using the herb.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/ --- View the side effects

Answer 3

There was a big thing in the news a year ago about how St. John's wart doesn't do anything. I have depression too, and I tried it a few years ago. I didn't notice any results. I haven't tried prescription drugs yet because I can't afford it. I plan on trying Welbutrin.

Answer 4

Many people have fast results with St John's Wort. However, you may have to wait to see results.

There are other remedies as well. Kava Kava, 5-HTP, Sam-E and more. Since each medication can have side effects, you want to make sure that you do your research.

Depression medications have a high rate of success and there are generics that do not cost all that much.

Also you may want to consider taking a multi-vitamin. I felt lethargic only to discover that I wasn't depressed but was anemic.

- not a health practitioner

Answer 5

St. John's Wort, like other depression remedies, does not act instantly. If you friend got instant results, it was not from the St. John's Wort but was just a coincidence. St. John's Wort also doesn't work at all for many (most?) people and can have interactions with other drugs. You really ought to discuss it with your doctor.

Answer 6

OK. The mind is our spiritual highway. Yes folks, there is a real spiritual world out there. The spiritual lanes run in one direction: strong mind, agape, temperance, self-control and good spiritual habits allow us to stay in safe lanes and in the opposite direction the lanes are marked: oppression, depression, possession, infirmity and addiction. The devil controls those opposing lanes. Drugs can help some forms of depression by adding temporary stimulants to the brain. However, with spiritual remedies, we go after the roots. Some cases are generationally handed-down baggage. Many are unresolved conflicts. Take a few evenings per week to watch this 24-hour positive lifestyle changing channel www.tbn.org. Also check this lifestyle-changing book www.trafford.com/04-2126. Trust me: I host a syndicated radio show and many who have submitted to such life-changing suggestions have testified to getting tangible results.
Boaz.
In essence, instead of relying on St. John's Wort, try St. John's teachings.

Answer 7

With any herbal product, it is important to check the manufacturer of the product. These products are not regulated by the FDA, so products are not tested for efficacy or safety like prescription medications. If you get on www.pubmed.com, you can find articles from medical journals that mention SJW, and they will guide you along with your decision. Working in a pharmacy, we sold some of this product, but not much repeat business, which tells me people did not experience the benefit they were expecting.
A better idea would be just a good multiple vitamin and b-complex vitamin, which have been shown to be at lower levels in people experiencing depression.

Answer 8

Results take hold not instantly, yet two weeks later. Regular taking of St John's Wart for the initial two weeks allows the properties of it to get to a therapeutic level in your blood.

Answer 9

St. John's Wort is very good also kava kava is a good herb for short term use. *Do NOT use this herb if pregnant or nursing! And it may cause drowsiness.

The scent of Lavender is also known to decrease depression. You can get this as an essential oil or as dried flowers. I make and give sachets to people for depression and to carry in their cars, for on the go use.

Also, avoid diet sodas or anything with artificial sweeteners. These can block the formation of serotion,depressed people are already serotion deprived. (Serotion is the feel good hormone that your body makes.)

I hope this helps!

Answer 10

A few years ago, people touted St. John's Wort as the new Prozac. Recently, they have discovered that in fact, SJW does nothing to help ease the symptoms of depression.

What they found was that people who were taking SJW "fooled" themselves into thinking that they were feeling better. It was all psychosomatic.

Taking the steps that you are already taking (therapy, etc) should help you get on your way.

Good Luck to you.