St Johns Wort for anxiety - any good?

[WilyKat]

I'm not on any other medication and am thinking about giving these a try but .. is it a bit hocus pocus or does anybody think they help?

Valerian is very good and has fewer contraindications.

Just come back to correct myself - Ashwaganda isn't so good for people who take immunosuppressive medication or thyroid. Saying that you should always do a bit of research rather than trust the likes of us on forums!

@WilyKat

Oh God, really?! I had no idea! It's just so buyable. So I should ask the GP before taking? Or a pharmacist?

I think lots of things are very easily available buy not necessarily innocuous. For example I bought some 5htp which is meant to also help with depression and anxiety. I already take citalopram and was juat feeling a bit meh. But actually I then read up and you're not supposed to take them together. You can get quite serious side effects.

I bought them from Holland an Barratt so not a dodgy online shop! So I'd definitely say just because it's all over an easy to buy doesn't mean it's safe.