st johns wort - Alternative Medicine Message Board

scotland79 · 01-13-2004, 06:14 AM

Hi, has anyone tried this for depression, and if so was it found to be of any benefit in helping? Thanks in advance

sidnee74 · 01-13-2004, 07:56 AM

I tried sjw for a few months after being on celexa for 18mos. It worked all right. I have found 5htp to be more effective for my depression/anxiety issues. 5htp is a natural, plant derived precursor to serotonin (I believe I am serotonin deficient). I have been ssri free and feeling good for nearly a year thanks to 5htp, fish oil, and major dietary changes. SJW may work well for you, though. It is effective for many people. Best.

isolated one · 01-13-2004, 08:43 AM

SJW did help me when my depression was not so bad. The only problem is that SJW takes about four weeks to notice the entire effect. You need to look for a "standardized" extract which provides 3 to 4% Hyperforin as well as the .3% Hypericin. The dose is 300 mg taken three times a day. Again, don't expect to start feeling better when first taking it, although some people do notice some difference early on.

scotland79 · 01-13-2004, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isolated one

SJW did help me when my depression was not so bad. The only problem is that SJW takes about four weeks to notice the entire effect. You need to look for a "standardized" extract which provides 3 to 4% Hyperforin as well as the .3% Hypericin. The dose is 300 mg taken three times a day. Again, don't expect to start feeling better when first taking it, although some people do notice some difference early on.

Hi, thank you both for your replies. I am currently taking the standardized extract and the dose that you mentioned. I only started taking it yesterday so heres hoping it works. I am not really a believer in alternative medicine but im willing to give this a go since ive heard lots of good about it and the conventional medicine i was given for depression did not work for me, mostly because i couldnt get past the 1st week on them with horrible side effects!

Sidnee i will look more into 5htp. I have never heard of it before here, do you get it in health shops? and is it just much the same as SJW except better u think?? Also, its said that omega fish oils are excellent for depression, and i was taking cod liver oil, but then i read that u shouldnt rely on cod liver oil for omega oils as there is a risk of vitamin A intoxication, so can anyone tell me do you get omega oil capsules only? sorry for ranting on, but im just so desparate to try anything. Thanks again for listening

sidnee74 · 01-13-2004, 01:37 PM

Lyndsay,
I take omega 3's (EFA blend) I aim for 600mg a day of EPA/DHA combined. The product label should tell you how much of each is contained in the capsules. Usually I will need to take 1-2g (2000mg) total fat to accomplish this, depending on how concentrated the product is.

I buy 5htp online and or at walmart. I use the Natrol brand but there are other good brands available. I have heard that sjw works more like an mao inhibitor and 5htp like an ssri EXCEPT when you take 5htp you are actually putting in your body the component necessary to make serotonin whereas an ssri simply holds on to what serotonin you already have and keeps it from being converted to melatonin (think natural process vs. unnatural). I just find that 5htp works better for the kind of depression I have.
I recommend a book by Julia Ross called "The Mood Cure". I bought mine used online. It is excellent and I have had much success following her supplement,diet, and exercise regimen. Each regimen is made for which ever type of depression you have - and your type is "diagnosed" by quizzes in the book that you take. It has been like a miracle for me! The diet is key! So much of how we feel is determined by what we do or do not eat and we tend to forget that (if we knew it in the first place lol).