Does St Johns Wort help?

[mmreed]

anyone using st johns wort? does it really help? How long did it take to start impacting you?

 

[trinitygrace]

mmreed,

I heard it helps but you have to take it for a very long time (like a couple months) before you feel the affects and of course, like anything else, some people don't respond to it. I'd ask my doctor if I were you before trying anything. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Trinity

 

[PastorMikeJ]

St John's wart works but can be only taken for 2 weeks at the strength needed to help depression...you have to be very careful with it...I was under the training of an Native American Medicine man and I tried it with his supervision...it did work but only allowed to take it for 2 weeks.. Now this was fresh wart harvested by him and myself...

 

[mmreed]

St John's wart works but can be only taken for 2 weeks at the strength needed to help depression...you have to be very careful with it...I was under the training of an Native American Medicine man and I tried it with his supervision...it did work but only allowed to take it for 2 weeks.. Now this was fresh wart harvested by him and myself...

why only 2 weeks? what would happen if you continued?

 

[Darrell2006]

I think I'm allergic to it, I have tried it a few different times and just felt a little jittery, and I could constantly smell the st. johns wort, the last time I drank it in a tea and I had a bad reaction to it.

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

I think I'm allergic to it, I have tried it a few different times and just felt a little jittery, and I could constantly smell the st. johns wort, the last time I drank it in a tea and I had a bad reaction to it.

I've been taking it for nearly a month now. I think you have to take it for at least six weeks before you feel the effects but I've also been warned that it shouldn't be taken over a long period. Has it helped? I'm not too sure. I haven't had any bad episodes of depression since taking it but that might be because I spoke to a psychologist and some of what he said may have helped or for some other reason. I also don't know exactly how I'm supposed to be feeling if it is helping.

 

[Stanfi]

I tried it for a little while, but I don't think it helped any.

 

[Frangible]

It generally takes a while to work, several weeks in most studies, but generally most people are able to continue taking it unless they have adverse reactions.

It has only been shown to be effective in treating minor depression, however it has a poorer response rate than SSRIs, possibly due to variance in the unregulated manufacturing process. I think minor depression is somewhere between "I'm feeling kind of down" and "I have a blog, wear black, and listen to emo music". Note: that's not the DSM-IV distinction.

 

[Ivy]

I've been using it since I think 1998, the full dose during the winter months, a minimal dose during the summer months. I found it made a huge difference in my being able to function....it didn't make me smile from ear to ear, but it did take away my constant urge for a nap, I would get more done & thus feel better about myself.

 

[Darrell2006]

I've been using it since I think 1998, the full dose during the winter months, a minimal dose during the summer months. I found it made a huge difference in my being able to function....it didn't make me smile from ear to ear, but it did take away my constant urge for a nap, I would get more done & thus feel better about myself.

what dosage, and what time of day do you take it ?

 

[Ivy]

what dosage, and what time of day do you take it ?

900 mg in dead of winter, 150 mg in high summer......I take it all in the a.m., though it would probably be better to spread it out.

 

[pharmacy_student]

As my name implies, I am a student of pharmacy so I will tell you what it does:

St Johns Wort acts in the same way that many mainstream antidepressants (Zoloft (Sertraline) and Cipramil (Citalopram)) work in that it inhibits the reuptake of a neurotransmitter Serotonin. It does this to a lesser extent than the manufactured drugs. It can be useful in the management of mild anxiety, worry and depression (also known as dysthymia).

Dosage is as directed by the box, as many companies formulate it differently. I will have to be taken for a minimum of 4-6 week for any benefit to be seen. Some people will find it will benefit, and other's won't.

I strongly advise speaking to you pharamcist before starting yourself on a medicine like this. St Johns Wort has many well known interactions. It can add to the effect of other antidepressants and cause "Serotonin Syndrome" where you feel like you have an acute attack of the flu. Sertonin Syndrome is a potentially life threatening condition. It also interacts with the Oral Contraceptive, making the Pill less effective which could lead to an unwanted pregnancy. It interacts with many, many more medicines due to an effect on the metabolism of other drugs. Always double check with your pharmacist if you are taking other medications.

Hope this helps.
Jason

 

[Darrell2006]

As my name implies, I am a student of pharmacy so I will tell you what it does:

St Johns Wort acts in the same way that many mainstream antidepressants (Zoloft (Sertraline) and Cipramil (Citalopram)) work in that it inhibits the reuptake of a neurotransmitter Serotonin. It does this to a lesser extent than the manufactured drugs. It can be useful in the management of mild anxiety, worry and depression (also known as dysthymia).

Dosage is as directed by the box, as many companies formulate it differently. I will have to be taken for a minimum of 4-6 week for any benefit to be seen. Some people will find it will benefit, and other's won't.

I strongly advise speaking to you pharamcist before starting yourself on a medicine like this. St Johns Wort has many well known interactions. It can add to the effect of other antidepressants and cause "Serotonin Syndrome" where you feel like you have an acute attack of the flu. Sertonin Syndrome is a potentially life threatening condition. It also interacts with the Oral Contraceptive, making the Pill less effective which could lead to an unwanted pregnancy. It interacts with many, many more medicines due to an effect on the metabolism of other drugs. Always double check with your pharmacist if you are taking other medications.

Hope this helps.
Jason

I have been taken a small dose a few tiches a day, probably 10mg, anymore than that and I get overstimulated, I have noticed some body aches since taking it but I figured it was just because of the constipation side effect similiar to when I have taken regular antidepressants, can such a small dose cause this serotonin syndrome?

Daryl

Update- I had to stop taking the st. johns wort because of allergic reaction, I should have known since I have allergys and it's made from a bright yellow flower, other than the reaction it just made me feel a little high and detached, not a desirable feeling. The good news is that I'm still taking a food extract that among other benefits works as antihistamine, (wich helps my allergies)and has a mood stabilizing/enhancing effect.

 

[pharmacy_student]

Serotonin Syndrome is a very rare interaction that occurs but can be potentially life threatening. If you have been taking St Johns Wort for many years and haven't experienced any problems, then chances are that you'll be fine. It is just simply something to be aware of, and nothing to be frightened of, if you have any questions see your doctor about it.

Jason