Has anyone taken St. John's Wort for depression?
Does it work?
I would like to try it for mild depression.
I know that it should say standardized on the bottle, but I have know idea how much a person should take to get any results. I do know that it takes a few weeks before it takes full effect.
Any info on this would be appreciated.
Thanks

Twinhearts

Check it out here.

I haven't tried it, as my depression is too severe, but I'd be wary of this stuff.

Catty

I did use it but required stronger meds....

Sherasi,
Do you happen to remember the dosage that you took?

if you insist on using st johns wort please PLEASE read the table of drugs that can interact with it here
http://www.health.gov.au/tga/docs/html/info.htm
tha list is just over half way down.
this is a very dangerous suppliment to take if you are taking other medications. i personally know of 2 people who became pregnant while on the pill after taking st. johns wort (which caused the pill to be inefective) and one person who died from a reaction to his medication that he was taking for lupus. this is a very scarry suppliment.

Mattlynda, thank you for the site. I am sorry about your friends.
I am taking St. John's Wort with a lot of success. I feel better than I have in months.
I am taking it under my doctor's supervision. He also mentioned the interactions that are listed in the site. Since I only take a daily vitamin and the occasional Tylenol for headaches I shouldn't have to worry about interactions.
Thanks again
Twinhearts

My grandmother tried St. Johns' Wort some time ago because she wanted a more natural cure for her depression. She found it helped a bit, but not nearly enough. She is a very depressed woman. And, of course, she wanted it to work so much that it made her even more depressed when it didn't...
But for milder depression it might work. It depends on the person.

I am glad that it is working out so well for you, and super-glad that you did it the right way: checking with your doctor, learning about possible interactions. Good for you!

The most recent studies don't show it to be any more effective than a placebo... of course a placebo can be fairly effective and the same study showed that a number of prescription drugs weren't much better.

Since St John's Wort isn't regulated, however, the ingredients and amounts aren't the smae in different brands. because of this, it is still possible that certain brands are more helpful than placebo.

As mattylinda pointed out, you should always be careful when using suppliments. Natural does not necessarily mean safe and gentle. If it is powerful enough to have a positive effect on your body, it is powerful enough that it may have negative effects as well.

i ate 6 of those before and felt all weird.
i've never done it again.

I can't remember the does.... it was a generic "Bought at Walmart" brand of herbal supplement.