Have any of you had any succes in fighting depression with St. Johns Wort?

Question

If you suffer from depression and have taken St. John's Wort, do you feel that it has really helped you. What about Same? Any experiences with that? I'm looking for some good alternative treatmensts for depression besides SSRI's.

Answer 1

Yes I've tried St. John's Wort with no improvement. My shrink says it can help with mild-moderate depression but not severe cases. One caution about it: molecularly it is similar to an MAO inhibitor; another class of antidepressant besides SSRI's, tricyclics, SNRI's and those that fall into a misc. category. With MAO inhibitors, you need to stay away from foods containing tyramine. The medication decreases/eliminates the body's ability to break it down. When tryamine levels get too high, they can cause a hypertensive crisis (dangerously high blood pressure). So, if you're going to use it, stay away from processed meats, cheese, red wine, beer, and some other foods you could look up online. I've never tried SAMe but the research I've read indicates that it's not that effective and the cost is prohibitive for me anyway. Besides medication for depression, the next best option is cognitive-behavioral therapy (specifically - not just any kind of therapy).

Answer 2

I have had a wonderful results from St. Johns!!! There are alot of companies out there that make herbal supplements. Be careful that you don't get ahold of a brand that adds extra ingredients for fillers...Read your labels! The best place to by them is Herbal Stores. You have to be consistent as with any medication..
Ask your doctor before mixing this with any medication you take now for depression! Mixing this with any prescribed meds WILL give you an adverse effect and send you over the edge! I speak from experience.

Answer 3

Sorry to say I did not have the same good fortune as the last answer did.
But like anything, our chemistry are different. I had to take Celexa, which is a chemical form of serotonin.
I do not have the real stuff left in my body and this Celexa will replace what my body used up. With all medicine, what works well on some, doesn't even put a dent in another.

Answer 4

I have tried St. Johns Wort and it didn't work for me. But what doesn't work for one could work for another. See a doctor they can give you some ideas. I'm on SSRI's now and they work great for me.