St John's Wort

[RichieT]

What is everyones thoughts on St John's Wort? Does it really work? I know that it takes about 2 mos to feel the efects of it.I think I'm ready to try this method

[rBoulet]

I have a bottle of it in my bedroom and I never take any of it because the capsule it's in makes me nauseous. I've heard of it helping with mild symptoms, but you should really only try it after talking to your doctor. St John's Wort may be natural, but it can still be as dangerous as normal medication if it interacts with a medication you're already on.

[KERRY_JTR]

i used to take that stuff. but i stopped cause i had some mental issues with it plus i slept too long. Its different for everyone.

[Paxiled]

St. John's Wort is like medication -- it works for some, doesn't for others.  It's used quite extensively and effectively in Europe.  However, the truth about natural remedies is, one isn't usually enough.  They're usually used in combination, not singly, so just one herb isn't the best way to go.  And keep in mind it only works for depression and depression caused anxiety, not other anxiety problems.  And it can theoretically enhance medications, so it's not recommended if you're already on an antidepressant.  (Nobody actually knows exactly how any plant works -- they're more complicated than our current level of science.  But they really don't understand medication either, do they?)   If you want to really try natural medicine, you pretty much have to not be taking medication, and you should probably see a naturopath to set up a program for you.  

For the person who has capsule problems, you can take St. John's Wort in tincture form.  It won't be standardized, it will be the natural form of the herb, but you can still take it that way.

[RichieT]

Thanks for all the input. I am not currently taking anything at all and I haven't in over a month now. Using the Celexa for 2 days made me fell really really spaced out and like my face was going to fall off. My most recent "symptom"  is muscle weakeness, or shakiness..even though I can hold my arms out and they are not shaking at all!!! I attribute this to just another anxiety thing!!  I would love to try something to help this go away, but i'm so worried about the side effects.
Rich

[Paxiled]

If you're not on a medication and anxiety is your main problem, 5htp, not St. John's Wort, would be your first choice.  You'd want to combine it with magnesium citrate, a relaxant combo such as passionflower and hops or valerian, adaptogens such as eleuthero and ashwagandha to help the adrenals, holy basil to regulate cortisol.  You see how I mean it's complicated?  But if you want to give it a go and you're not on medication, it will teach you a lot about the interconnectedness of your body, diet, exercise, and mind.  Good luck.