Is St. John's Wort effective for mild depression?

Answer 1

YES! My brother takes it, and we started seeing positive changes in his mood from the first day. He used to be moody, aggressive, sad and just generally depressed. My parents didn't want to use antidepressants, and St. John's Wort works perfectly. My friend takes it when she is feeling down, and it works for her too.
The best thing is that it's natural, and doesn't have any side effects (at least none that I know of).
Anyway, good luck!

Answer 2

St. John's Wort can be effective for mild to moderate depression. The average person feels the effects within 30 min. after taking. Its available in capsules, just follow the label directions.

Answer 3

Study shows St. John's wort is effective for mild depression
St. John's wort, a flowering plant that grows as a weed in much of the United States, is moderately more effective than placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, according to a review article by UW researchers published in the Jan. 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine (AIM).

Barak Gaster, an acting assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine, and John Holroyd, chief resident in internal medicine, systematically reviewed all relevant English-language articles on St. John's wort. They identified eight trials that met criteria for high methodological quality. Overall, based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, patients who received St. John's wort had a response rate that was 23 percent to 55 percent higher than placebo groups.

The researchers suggest that recommending St. John's wort to patients is complicated by the lack of regulatory oversight of dietary supplements. They conclude that more data are required to assess its use in severe depression and its efficacy compared to other antidepressants.

Answer 4

Hi! Yes, it is. I used it when I suffered from postnatal depression. However, if the depression gets worse and doesnt lift with the use of St. John's Wort, I think its better to see your GP for an alternative, like an anti-depressant or therapy. Best of luck! Gini ;-)

Answer 5

What It Is Used For
St. John's wort has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders and nerve pain.
In ancient times, herbalists wrote about its use as a sedative and a treatment for malaria, as well as a balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites.
Today, St. John's wort is used by some for depression, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders.

Answer 6

Yes, but it's not very strong. If the depression persists, book an appointment with the doctor to get some SSRIs.

Anti-depressives affect concentration slightly. Not so that most people would notice, but technical workers (mathematicians, programmers, architects etc) and possibly artists might decide that they're better off without them.

Answer 7

I would certainly give it a try, I know someone who is taking it and he says it works better than the tricyclic antidepressant he was on before.

Answer 8

Yes, it is pretty good stuff.
It does make your eyes sensitive to the sun though

Answer 9

Yes, but it'll give you a terrible case of warts. Sorry. For a real answer, check out Dr. Weil at: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/REM00017

Answer 10

my son uses it with GREAT results!