Is St Jons Wart better than prescribed anti-depressants for treating depression? less side effects?

Question

Same question regarding Valerian vs. prescribed sleeping pills. THANKS

Answer 1

From the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine:

1. What is St. John's wort?
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum in Latin) is a long-living plant with yellow flowers. It contains many chemical compounds. Some are believed to be the active ingredients that produce the herb's effects, including the compounds hypericin and hyperforin.

How these compounds actually work in the body is not yet known, but several theories have been suggested. Preliminary studies suggest that St. John's wort might work by preventing nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing the chemical messenger serotonin, or by reducing levels of a protein involved in the body's immune system functioning.

2. For what medicinal purposes has St. John's wort been used?
St. John's wort has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders as well as nerve pain. In ancient times, doctors and herbalists (specialists in herbs) wrote about its use as a sedative and treatment for malaria as well as a balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites. Today, St. John's wort is used by some people to treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders.

3. What is depression?
Information on depression is available from the National Institute of Mental Health. Here is a brief overview.

Depression is a medical condition that affects nearly 19 million Americans each year. A person's mood, thoughts, physical health, and behavior all may be affected. Symptoms commonly include:

Ongoing sad mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that the person once enjoyed
Significant change in appetite or weight
Oversleeping or difficulty sleeping
Agitation or unusual slowness
Loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty "thinking," such as concentrating or making decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Depressive illness comes in different forms. The three major forms are described below. Each can vary from person to person in terms of symptoms experienced and the severity of depression.

In major depression, people experience a sad mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities for at least 2 weeks. In addition, they have at least four other symptoms of depression. Major depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. If it is not treated, it can last for 6 months or more.

In minor depression, people experience the same symptoms as major depression, but they are fewer in number and are less disabling. Symptoms last at least 6 months but less than 2 years continuously.

In dysthymia, a milder, but more chronic form of depression, people experience a depressed mood for at least 2 years (1 year for children) accompanied by at least two other symptoms of depression.

In bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, a person has periods of depressive symptoms that alternate with periods of mania. Symptoms of mania include an abnormally high level of excitement and energy, racing thoughts, and behavior that is impulsive and inappropriate.

Some people still hold outdated beliefs about depression--for example, that the emotional symptoms caused by depression are "not real" and that a person can merely "will" himself out of it. Depression is a real medical condition. It can be treated effectively with conventional medicine, including by antidepressant drugs and certain types of psychotherapy (talk therapy).

4. Why is St. John's wort used as an alternative therapy for depression?
Some patients who take antidepressant drugs do not experience relief from their depression. Other patients have reported unpleasant side effects from their prescription medication, such as a dry mouth, nausea, headache, or effects on sexual function or sleep.

Sometimes people turn to herbal preparations like St. John's wort because they believe "natural" products are better for them than prescription medications, or that natural products are always safe. Neither of these statements is true (this is discussed further below).

Finally, cost can be a reason. St. John's wort costs less than many antidepressant medications, and it is sold without a prescription (over the counter).

5. How widely is St. John's wort used for treating depression?
In Europe, St. John's wort is widely prescribed for depression. In the United States, St. John's wort is not a prescription medication, but there is considerable public interest in it. St. John's wort remains among the top-selling herbal products in the United States.

6. How is St. John's wort sold?
St. John's wort products are sold in the following forms:

Capsules
Teas--the dried herb is added to boiling water and steeped for a period of time.
Extracts--specific types of chemicals are removed from the herb, leaving the desired chemicals in a concentrated form.
7. Does St. John's wort work as a treatment for depression?
There has been scientific research to try to answer this question.

In Europe, results from a number of scientific studies have supported the effectiveness of certain St. John's wort extracts for depression. An overview of 23 clinical studies found that the herb might be useful in cases of mild to moderate depression. The studies, which included 1,757 outpatients, reported that St. John's wort was more effective than a placebo (here, a "dummy" pill designed to have no effect) and appeared to produce fewer side effects than some standard antidepressants (Linde et al. British Medical Journal, 1996).

Other studies conducted recently have found no benefit from the use of St. John's wort for certain types of depression. For example, the results of a study funded by Pfizer Inc., a pharmaceutical company, found that St. John's wort, when compared with placebo, was not effective for treating major depression (Shelton et al. JAMA, 2001).

In addition, several components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)--NCCAM, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)--funded a large, carefully designed research study to find out whether St. John's wort extract benefits people with major depression of moderate severity. This clinical trial (a research study in people) found that St. John's wort was no more effective for treating major depression of moderate severity than placebo (Hypericum Depression Trial Study Group. JAMA, 2002; for further information, view the press release online at nccam.nih.gov/news/2002/stjohnswort/pressrelease.htm or contact the NCCAM Clearinghouse).


8. Are there any risks to taking St. John's wort for depression?
Yes, there are risks in taking St. John's wort for depression.

Many so-called "natural" substances can have harmful effects--especially if they are taken in too large a quantity or if they interact with something else the person is taking.

Research from NIH has shown that St. John's wort interacts with some drugs--including certain drugs used to control HIV infection (such as indinavir). Other research shows that St. John's wort can interact with chemotherapeutic, or anticancer, drugs (such as irinotecan). The herb may also interact with drugs that help prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs (such as cyclosporine). Using St. John's wort limits these drugs' effectiveness.

Also, St. John's wort is not a proven therapy for depression. If depression is not adequately treated, it can become severe and, in some cases, may be associated with suicide. Consult a health care practitioner if you or someone you care about may be experiencing depression.

People can experience side effects from taking St. John's wort. The most common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and fatigue.

9. What are some other possible problems with using St. John's wort?
Herbal products such as St. John's wort are classified as dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a regulatory agency of the Federal Government. The FDA's requirements for testing and obtaining approval to sell dietary supplements are less strict than its requirements for drugs. Unlike drugs, herbal products can be sold without requiring studies on dosage, safety, or effectiveness. For more information, see the NCCAM fact sheet "What's in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements."

The strength and quality of herbal products are often unpredictable. Products can differ in content not only from brand to brand, but from batch to batch. Information on labels may be misleading or inaccurate. For more information on safety issues, see the NCCAM fact sheet "Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too."

10. Is NCCAM funding research on St. John's wort, including for depression and other mental illnesses?

Yes. For example, recent projects supported by NCCAM include:

Safety and effectiveness of St. John's wort for tivetreatmen of minor depression
Safety of St. John's wort for the treatment of social phobia
Effectiveness of St. John's wort for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder
Effects of St. John's wort on how well birth control pills work
Possible adverse interactions of St. John's wort and narcotic pain medications
Top

For More Information
NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
International: 301-519-3153
TTY (for deaf or hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: [e-mail]
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
Address: NCCAM Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 7923, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-7923

Fax: [phone]

The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information about CAM and about NCCAM. Services include fact sheets, other publications, and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.

*********************************************************
VALERIAN

What the Science Says:

• Research suggests that valerian may be helpful for insomnia, but there is not enough evidence from well-designed studies to confirm this.

• There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether valerian works for anxiety or for other conditions, such as depression and headaches.

• NCCAM is funding a study to look at the effects of valerian on sleep in healthy older adults and in people with Parkinson’s disease.Side Effects and Cautions

• Studies suggest that valerian is generally safe to use for short periods of time (for example, 4 to 6 weeks).

• No information is available about the long-term safety of valerian.

• Valerian can cause mild side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and tiredness the morning after its use.

• Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including valerian. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is information on these 2 herbal treatments from a reliable source--The decision on which is "better" should be made by you with consultation with a medical professional.

Librarians--Ask Us, We Answer!
Find your local Library at http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/Public_main.html

Answer 2

I think I am qualified to answer this. I've been on tons of those medications and I'm currently taking 2 of them. I also am a psychotherapist. Anyhow.... yes there are side effects at times. The most popular ones are stomach problems, headaches, drowsiness. Most side effects go away within 2-3 weeks of use. Some of them may make you feel worse. If that happens or you feel increasingly suicidal, tell your doctor at once! Unfortunately you may 'act weird'. If people tell you that, it means the medication isn't working. It could be making you worse. Weight gain can be an issue but not necessarily. I actually lose weight often when I start a new medication. You should just be aware of it, and if it begins to happen, discuss your options with your doctor. There are lots of medications to try. They usually take 2-6 weeks to fully work. You should be seeing a psychiatrist for this medication. Family doctors do not have the experience necessary to manage a depressed patient taking medications, although they legally can. Keep exercising! That will help you a lot. Trust me, it makes a huge difference in an individual's mental health. You most likely need a lot of changes in your diet. You should be eating nutritious food that is not high in fat. If your diet is awful, exercise won't really help. Lastly... be aware that finding the right medication and dose can take a long time! I went through hell with it, between side effects and them not working. Other people find something that works right away. Since I found the right med and dose I feel 100 percent better. It is worth the trouble. This is why you need a GOOD psychiatrist that you trust and like. Not everyone who is depressed needs medication. But it sounds like your are really needing something. I also hope you would consider talk therapy. It can be just as effective as medication. I assume you are in therapy, since you mentioned a social worker. Always do research on the medications you are on. Ask your psychiatrist any questions you may have. Ask those around you if you seem better or worse after taking it for a couple weeks or so. Also here's a quick list of popular antidepressants: SSRI antidepressants: Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, Zoloft SNRI antidepressants: Effexor, Cymbalta Mood stabilizers: Depakote, Lamictal, Wellbutrin Antipsychotics sometimes used for depression or anxiety: Risperdal, Seroquel, Invega, Abilify, Geodon (Do not consider trying these unless it is a last resort, or your doctor feels you may have bipolar disorder, rather than just depression. They have much more serious side effects)

Answer 3

I don't know about valerian.

There is some scientific evidence that St J W can be used for mild depression, but no eveidence that it helps at all for severe depression.

There are certainly side effects, whether they are more or fewer than prescribed anti-ds depends on which anti-d, what dosage & how an individual reacts to it. It can interfer with other medication (not just anti-ds) so you need to be careful.

Go to the link below for more info from the National Institutes of Health

Answer 4

St Johns Wort has a natural anti-depressant similar to the chemical in Prozac The difference, and the danger, is that herbs are not regulated in the U.S. and you can never be certain how much you are getting, even capsules in the same bottle can vary in the amount of the active ingredient. In Germany, St Johns Wort is standardized and is prescribed by physicians for mild to moderate depression. I do not recommend medicating yourself for depression. It is especially dangerous to mix St Johns Wort with other depression medications
Valerian is a powerful nervine, stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic. It has been used instead of Valium, since the action is similar. Depending upon which part of the plant is used, it can have a mild sedative effect or one that is so strong as to warrant caution against driving or the use of machinery.

Answer 5

I have taken St. John's Wort and it did help my depression and anxiety, but I had a side effect of terrible stomach aches. I went back to Paxil which I tolerate well.

In my case, the side effects of the prescribed medication was much less. It may not be the same for everyone.

Answer 6

No. St Jons Wart is not to be used as an anti-depressant.

Answer 7

no its not better its just a herbal alternative. the thing with herbs is that you need lots of them to amount to the prescription dose of medications u take so in result u may end up getting more side effects that if u just used medication instead