St. John's wort.. Yay or nay ?

[tdawgg123]

Has anyone tried St. John's wort for their anxiety and depression and if so was the experience positive or negative? Thanks

[faySa]

I haven't taken St John's wart for a while now but I am a firm believer in vitamin B. I've been off anti depressants for 2 years now after being on and off them for 17 years. Vitamin B has definitely helpped me. Along with mindfulness. I think St John's wart can be a good alternative too.

[BettyA in reply to faySa]

I like what you posted, faySa.... and totally agree with you. It sounds like you are a person who is TOTALLY aware of the affect that the mind can have on our anxiety and depression....and that is always good to read!

[faySa in reply to BettyA]

Thank you BettyA. I am going through a bit of a challenging time right now and your words are truly encouraging and very timely. Thank you so much.

[dina67]

Hi I did but never help me at all

[Hidden]

Hello

I was discussing this in another place before holidays.

The information is you need to be very careful if you are taking other medications for depression

Talk to your GP before trying it out, it can cause some problems

BOB

[Hidden]

Hi, I haven't used it cause I was advised to avoid it cause of my high blood pressure.

[Lin1944]

Hi St Johns Wort should not be taken as well as anti depressants. I tried it years ago but no good so had to go on anti depressants which I think are great even though I do have relapses. Gambit advised me to see if I was B 12 deficient and after a blood test I was so now have B12 jabs every 3 months. Up to now I am fine and hope the deficiency in b12 was causing the depression. Good luck

[BettyA in reply to Lin1944]

Hi Lin, its always so good to read about people being SO aware of the huge importance of B12... So many people are deficient in it...and you are fortunate to go to a dr that will even THINK about having you tested for B or D vitamins which is so often the culprit.

[BettyA]

I believe strongly in St John's Wort...and believe it is an excellent alternative substitute for Rx drugs when it comes to depression...more so than anxiety. Before anxiety became a problem for me, I had bouts of depression and St John's Wort helped me so much. I wouldn't say any herbal supplement should 'take the place of' a strong Rx drug when truly needed... But many people are on Rx drugs unnecessarily that would do well with natural products.

Many drs do not know the first thing when it comes to alternative drugs (because they are trained to dispense and believe in Rx drugs which pleases Big Pharma, of course) so the best person to talk to would be a practitioner of herbs and homeopathics (ask around in health food store for recommendations) ...

[Hidden]

St. John's wort increases a chemical in the brain. This chemical is called serotonin. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking St. John's wort with these medications used for depression might cause there to be too much serotonin.

[tdawgg123 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gerald. Thanks for your reply. I don't take any medications currently. Was looking at this for more of an alternative.