What makes St John Wort work?

Question

I've heard that it helps for mild depression and anxiety. Why? What is in it that makes it work and how? Has it worked for any of you? I suffer from mild depression, not enough to see a doctor about for a prescription, but just enough that I feel a little blue most days for no apparent reason...

Answer 1

I do not dismiss natural medicines outright, but they should be considered medications, just like a prescribed drug is. As for St. John's wort, it's believed that it works like SSRIs do with serotonin, that is it keeps this "happy chemical" in your brain longer than without it.

There are side effects, though, and you need to take a regulated dose and not stop the dose when you feel better. It might be safer to speak with a proffessional first. With mild depression, therapy might work wonders, and that's even more natural than taking any drugs at all.

Good luck.