Anyone have opinion/experience with St. John's Wort?

[prolesunited]

Note to Mods: I am NOT seeking medical advice, just looking for anecdotal information.

Just wondering how effective DUers think it is.

[auntAgonist]

1. I know they say

you should NOT take it with anti depressant medications. I've tried it in the past and can honestly say it had no effect on me whatsoever. I wasn't taking any other meds at the time.

aA

[prolesunited]

4. I'm not on any

Did you later take anti-depressants? I read that it doesn't seem to work if depression is more severe, that it's most effective for mild to moderate cases.

[auntAgonist]

8. no I never did go

that route.

[LeftyMom]

2. It did my mother no good

My ex seems to like it so far, but I bought him a crapload of vitamins at the same time, so that could be what's improving his mood (for that matter, he's seing a new girl, that could be it, too.)

[flvegan]

3. I loved it when I used it.

2 things...it DOES take time to "kick in" and the sunlight issue is something to take note of. I found it extremely effective. If you decide to use it, get a quality, standardized product.

It's also one hell of a lot safer, better and easier on your body than any of the other seratonin reuptake inhibitors that you get via perscription.

[prolesunited]

5. What is the sunlight issue?

I think the lack thereof is half my problem right now. If I see sun, I want to be out in it.

I think a trip to the Caribbean would cure me, but that's just not in the budget.

[flvegan]

6. No. Hypericin reacts with sunlight. St. John's Wort makes you

"hypersensitive" to sunlight. I should say "can" make you hypersensitive. Either way, it's mainly (at least with me, it was) a sight issue. The sun seemed MUCH brighter when I was taking it.

[Metta]

7. Had no effect after some years. Consumer Reports concurs.

We found it to be of no advantage whatsoever.

[prolesunited]

9. Why is it used and recommended

so frequently in European countries.

I did notice that some studies looking at its effectiveness were sponsored by drug companies, like Pfizer, so I'm sure their was no bias.

Do you have a link for the Consumer Reports findings?

[Metta]

11. .. can't speak for Europe.

I don't have the link to CU. I remember it from one of their magazines though, within the last year or so I think.

[Thtwudbeme]

10. St. John's Wort by itself never did that much for me, however

Now that I completely despise where we live, and when the teachers at my new 3rd rate college make me nervous, this stuff really helps:

http://www.iherb.com/st.html

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/iherb_1879_3511162

It has a giant dose of vitamin B, and the valerian makes me feel like I am not going to start crying and find a bus to throw myself under.

I hope it helps you; I found it at a health food store--

Stephanie

[prolesunited]

14. Thanks! I'll look into it

It did have a blood pressure warning, so that may not be right for me.

Glad it's worked for you. You wouldn't want to to do that to that poor bus driver and passengers.

[InvisibleTouch]

12. Moderately effective for me, but...

...you're probably even better off to just get out in the sun 10 minutes a day if you're feeling depressed. It's that time of year for the winter blues. Even if it's overcast, the light level is higher outside than you'd get indoors. Bundle up and give it a try.

[prolesunited]

13. I know that's a big part of it

I've had it before, but it's at a higher intensity right now, just compounded by a the end of what was a very bad year (with the exception of getting married to an really good man).

It's been unseasonably warm, so I have been getting out a bit. I'm eating great and not carb loading, exercising like a maniac and getting enough (but not too much) sleep, but all my usual fixes just aren't doing it.

Not surprisingly, the Chicago area has the greatest number of SAD sufferers in the entire country.

I'm just sick of being miserable (and making someone else miserable in the process).

[InvisibleTouch]

16. Yeah, I know how you feel.

I need heat, even more so than light, to be happy, and I'm just living in the wrong place in the wrong season. 2005 has been a shitty year (I had one single exception myself, with the arrival of a new baby boy). But think of it this way - it's a new year and a new start. Nowhere to go but up. :) Definitely get out in the light every day if you can, and hang in there.

[zone]

15. worts and all

My wife grows it in our herb garden and uses it in topical salve for massage; she says it is especially effective for nerve pain.

It is also reputed to be a strong anti-depressant but should not be used in conjunction with pharmaceutical psychotropic drugs.

It is also a pagan protective plant and said to ward off bad vibes and attract good ones.

[prolesunited]

17. I could really use some good vibes

Thanks, and welcome to DU! :hi:

I wasn't able to garden last year because of illness/surgery, but I'm really looking forward to getting back to it this year. There's nothing more therapeutic for me than playing in the dirt. :-)

[zone]

20. don't panic, it's organic

We are big time gardeners. My big passions are rare varieties of garlic, heirloom tomatoes and peppers. My wife grows a lot of medicinal herbs.

[Schema Thing]

18. Subtle, but seemingly effective for me.

I'd quit taking it for a while, and then one day a few weeks later notice that life seemed not worth living, not worth fighting. I'd go back on St John's, and nothing would change immediately, but a week or two later, life would seem much brighter.

<P>

I've heard of people having much more immediate postitive effects as well.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. For me...one word...Migrain Headache.

:hi:

[begin_within]

21. Tried it for 30 days - no effect at all on me

[bigwillq]

22. I took it for like a year

I thought it worked great! :hi:

[u4ic]

23. My ex used it

he did have to switch to antidepressants when it got very severe, but the St John's Wort seemed to do him good for a mild case of depression.

He did have to ramp it up when it got worse, and the effect was limited.

[Hoooweee]

24. they produce pretty yellow flowers

that's all i know