Anyone have real success using St. John's Wort for depression & anxiety?

Question

I have had depression/anxiety and sleep problems for about 4-5 months, and have tried several antidepressants which made my anxiety worse and so I quit them quickly. I am still open to the possibility of finding an antidepressant that works for me that I can tolerate, but am going to first try some natural medicines/diet/exersise options.

My main question at this point is on St. John's Wort affectiveness treating depression and anxiety. I would like to here some experiences from people who have tried using it. Please explain how much you take, what form, and who long it took to work, or if it didn't help.
Thanks

Answer 1

I've taken St. John's Wort but with little success. Possibly because I didn't look at the big picture, I was expecting to much from it. I needed to do more than just take a few pills a day. When I wake up I do a few stretches, nothing strenuous, a few deep breathing exercises for a few minutes, then have a cup of herbal tea, no sugar,I've cut out the coffee with sugar. Through out the day I'll have a cup of chamomile tea with lemon extract, and just as important I relax, breath and quiet mind are important. If I'm at home I burn incense and do it with the lights off, while I drink tea. I've tried the pharmo's, don't like where they took me, so I tried the natural produces and feel better for it. For sleep I also stay natural, I rotate between L-Trytophan, Melotonin and Valerian. I've tried the Valerian as tea, ugg, no way, so I take the pills. It has draw backs, it comes out in the sweat if taken more than the recomemded dose, ti works. The L-Tryophan is found naturaly in turkey but I take the pills, it works also. The Melotonin is found naturly in the brain and the pills I use for sleep also, in smaller doses I'll use it for times of stress when I can't do plan A, a warm bath with a candle and insence. The best to you, try to stay natural as possible.

Answer 2

I took it awhile ago. I tried it because it was over the counter and a natural way for healing depression. I took it for depression...wasn't aware that it's also used for anxiety. It didn't help me....but then I've also tried 7 or 8 different antidepressants, and they haven't been helpful. You should check with a medical doctor about using St. John's Wort together with an antidepressant. When I took St. John's Wort I took it alone. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I too tried the natural method first. I tried st johns wort for about four months, cant remember dosage tho. At first I felt a little better, then the usual lows came back. I admit I did not suffer anxiety with my depression, but Zoloft has proven to work just fine for me since then. But give it a go. Some people swear by it! Just remember that if it's not doing much for you, that there are plenty of other ideas. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Well, St. John's Wort is okay for mild mild depression, not for anything of real hardship. I will suggest to you to try effexor. It also works well on anxiety. It has absolutely killed my anxiety so much that I am actually not stressed enough about things that I should be. Rarely does anything actually really bother me anymore. I guess I need a lower dosage, but anyway. Try effexor, it is newer and better than the older drugs. If that doesn't work, try remeron, or Zoloft.

Answer 5

I suggest you read "The mood Cure" by Julie Ross. You can find it on Amazon.com and buy it used. I read it and it's amazing, but it teaches you the natural way through food an exercise and does talk about Saint Johns Wort and some other natural remedies to boost your mood. Food and nutrition is also a very important part of feeling good. Eating to much sugar is also bad for anxiety.

Answer 6

It didnt work for me. I think it only works with the blues or mild deppression. Keep trying prescriptions and give them at least a month to work because your body needs to adjust. Zoloft works good but after a year it didnt help me anymore and I switched to Lexapro and so far so good. Good Luck. I know how you feel.

Answer 7

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 8

if you have problems sleeping due to an overactive brain you can ask your doctor about "Lunesta" its a sleep aid that relaxes your mind.

You can also try Yoga to relieve some stress.

As for depression, ask your doctor about "Zoloft"

good luck.

Answer 9

No one's had success w/that. zoloft and paxil cause weight gain. so does zyprexa. The only one that doesn't is lexapro. ask your doc for that. I have depression and anxiety as well and it helps me. they'll start you at 10mg and work you up.