St Johns wort really works

[Bypassed21]

Hi all, I wasn't really sure where to put this - but just wanted to share my experience of taking ST Johns wort.

I've been really struggling all this year due to multiple things - family issues, potential redundancy, money - and of course Covid. Also at 49 there is menopause to consider too.

Anyway - I've had a period off work with depression - my GP initially really was keen for me to go on prescription anti-depressants - but I really wasn't keen as I was concerned about their libido suppressing reputation. (I'm in a new relationship and the last thing I need is to be put off sex ) I've also received counselling which was a little helpful but didn't give me the off-load that I needed.

Anyway - I started taking ST Johns Wort about 5 weeks ago (334mg once per day). Have to say I feel like a new person. OK - so it doesn't make everything sunshine and rainbows, and I do still have my down days BUT I am no longer crying EVERY day or curling up on my daughters bed sobbing by heart out. So for me the improvement is tangible. Also my libido as remain unchanged. It took about 2/3 weeks before I noticed an improvement.

I just wanted to share - in case anyone out there is considering it. I will point out though that I'm not a medical professional and I did seek my GP's advice before I started taking them. I am aware there are lots of medications its contraindicative for. So I would advice speaking to pharmacist before taking just to be safe.

I took it years ago and it didn’t so anything for me.

My friend took it at the same time and it worked wonders for her but I recall she had to not take it continuously and to have a break of a few weeks before restarting it again. I think it was something to do with keeping its effectiveness.

I’m glad you are feeling great, long may that continue!

I found it really helpful when I took it - had to stop because it had a noticeable effect on how my antihistamines worked. It got me over a winter/early spring low patch one year when I needed it to, but then I got to the point where I just had to do something about the sneezing!

Its worth mentioning that it interacts badly with the contraceptive pill. Good to hear it works though, I've been considering it for a while.

Glad its helping. I tried it a few years ago but had terrible stomach pain from it.

I used at John's wort under the direction of a herbalist. My dose was x3 of the usual dose for an adult.

It worked really well but has side effects. You need to wear sunglasses always when outside as it can cause cataracts.

My dose eventually caused headaches and my doctor (who was supporting my herbal route) put me on Prozac which is the synthetic version of StJohns Wort. He said it did indeed work well but that I'd need less Prozac to get the same benefits.

I've started using it this year and did feel much better after a couple of weeks... then I fizzle on taking it if I'm feeling fine.

I tend to get SAD during blocks of dull weather so I'll see if it helps me through the winter this year. I started taking it in the spring as with ongoing restrictions, that SAD feeling didn't ease with the usual change of season/ weather.