St.John's Wart for depression.?

Question

I have seen that is recommended for depression but how much do you take. I am not on any medications at all.

Answer 1

I've been taking one 300mg capsule twice a day for two years now.

I tried several types of anti-depressants over the last 30 years. None seemed to help much, many had side effects that only made things worse, and the costs were prohibitive.

I was taking one type for three years ($110 a month); when it stopped working as well as it did (somewhat), the doctor wanted to put me on a second medication (another $125 a month). I balked and the doctor suggested St. John's wort.

I tried it and the effects were immediate and dramatic. I finally understood what anti-depressants were supposed to do! Of course, this is how it affected me, most of the people I've talked with who use it report it helps, but not as much as it's helped me.

Good that you're not on any other medications; St. John's wort should not be taken with any SSRI medication.

Answer 2

St John's Wort (not wart - that's a viral skin growth) is an unregulated herbal supplement. That means that the ingredients and dosage on the bottle may or may not be what is actually in the pills.

A Good Housekeeping Institute analysis of six widely available St. John's wort supplement capsules and four liquid extracts revealed a lack of consistency of the suspected active ingredients, hypericin and pseudohypericin. The study found:

* A 17-fold difference between the capsules containing the smallest amount of hypericin and those containing the largest amount, based on manufacturer's maximum recommended dosage.
* A 13-fold difference in pseudohypericin in the capsules.
* A 7-to-8-fold differential from the highest to the lowest levels of liquid extracts

A similar investigation by the Los Angeles Times found that 7 of 10 Dr. John's wort products contained between 75% and 135% of the labeled hypericin level, and three contained no more than about half the labeled potency

So, if you decide to go with this unproven and unregulated therapy, be aware that what you THINK you are taking may not be what you are ACTUALLY taking.

Answer 3

St. Johns Wort is frequently used in Europe for treatment of Depression BUT!!!! since over the counter substances often counteract other medications or you may have some illness or condition that it wouldn't be good to take it, or it just may not agree with you, be sure to check with a qualified doctor. You can find one that believes in using homeopathic remedies as a first line treatment but they will know how much to start you on and whether it is worth trying for you personally.
It can be dangerous to go by what another person recommends based on what works for them.

Answer 4

Stay away from St. John's wart. I have done some research on it and come to find out that it does nothing for depression. it is better for you to go and see a professional about other options for depression.

Answer 5

The starting dose of St. John's wort has usually been 900 milligrams per day. Three hundred milligram tablets are taken three times a day. This dose can be increased to a total of 1,800 milligrams every day.

Answer 6

Yes it can be used and is in most cases safer than anti-depressants. I'm afraid my answer would be to give your doc a call and ask him or her what she thinks.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

Answer 7

go to a good health food store and ask them...not GNC......also use pantothentic acid (B-5) better than st jons wart calcium magnesium