2007-10-01 18:50:44 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Some people swear by it, others say it's no good.I've only ever been on prescribed medication for depression in the past (Cipramil/Cipralex).I had my doctor wean me off it because I hate the way they make me feel, I'm in a constant dream like state.I just try and keep myself busy and avoid people who upset me.The only way to know for sure how good Saint John's Wort is to try it I guess.I feel, for myself anyway, that the best way to deal with depression is to know what makes me feel bad and to keep it under control.I've had to deal with cancer and a lot of treatment, I've lost a few friends to cancer this year, and I had a huge fall out with my family.All contributed to my depression.I have to deal with this, nobody can do it for me, and it's how I cope.Best of luck to you.Hope you find a solution to deal with this.
2007-10-01 19:40:52 · answer #1 · answered by CMH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depression can be caused by a reaction to a situation, say a bereavement or loss, or can be caused by certain ways of thinking (pessimistic) or can be a chemical imbalance within the body or a combination of the above.
Sometimes people feel sad and think that this is "depression" when in fact they are just sad; clinical depression is far more than a prolonged sadness and can require medical intervention in the form of anti-depressants.
So to answer your question, yes St.Johns Wort can work if taken as suggested and if you are not taking any other medication for depression. It is an alternative method of treating a mild to moderate depression. HOWEVER, there are dangers in taking St.Johns Wort because it can adversely interact with other drugs causing them to metabolise too quickly through the body.
My suggestion would be that if you are not taking any other prescribed drug then it is worth trying SJW for a short period but if you are taking anything else, even the contraceptive pill, then you must seek medical advice before commencing a regime including St.Johns Wort.
2007-10-01 19:14:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't tried St. Johns Wort but have used vitamins (from www.truehope.com) to treat my bipolar disorder (type 2) and they worked like a charm. I haven't been on any medications since early 2004 and I had two babies on them with no post-partum depression or baby blues.
As for St. Johns Wort, orthomolecular psychiatrist Hyla Cass, MD (www.hylacass.com) seems to think that St. John's Wort (among other things) work well.
Another good source of information for natural treatments for depression is: www.thewayup.com.
2007-10-01 18:58:37 · answer #3 · answered by Julia R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like all anti-depressants, it works well for some people, less for others. I don't have a citation, but I read a study that St. John's Wort was found to be as effective as any prescription anti-depressant, with almost no side effects. Most prescription drugs have serious side effects.
2007-10-01 18:58:26 · answer #4 · answered by Steve-O 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using St. Johns wort to treat depression has many side effects, try using other natural medications like working out in a gym, doing so--your body produces endorphins, a natural feel-good hormone or better yet eat foods like chocolate, it contains tryptophan that changes your mood. Another thing, do something to make yourself busy, doing nothing when you're depressed makes it worst.
2007-10-01 18:58:20 · answer #5 · answered by Oddon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use to take it and yes it works,but you have to find the right dose for you.I bought it direct for the company.It can in bottles of a hundred and I took 9 a day.If I felt like I was going to get depressed I have taken as many as 15 a day.Start with say 3 and go from there.When you take this herb you MUST tell ALL your Dr's.you are on it because it does interact with some prescriptions.DO NOT take it with prescription anti- depressants!!!
2007-10-01 19:40:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not for clinical (major) depression: see the herbal websites at http://www.ezy-build.net. (.net.nz/~shaneris) on page 2: read the section.
2007-10-02 01:02:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, my dad said it did but I don't think he was depressed to begin with. If you are taking other antidepressants let your MD know because it can cause serotonin syndrome.
2007-10-01 19:02:05 · answer #8 · answered by steph c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It worked pretty good on me, but it gave me stomach aches so I stopped taking it and got back on Paxil.
2007-10-01 20:10:26 · answer #9 · answered by majnun99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It didn't work for me but I have known other people for whom it worked quite well. You will never know until you try it.
2007-10-01 18:54:04 · answer #10 · answered by eharrah1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋