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Mental health

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Original poster

Has anyone tried St Johns Wort for low mood?

46 replies

Canistaysane · 26/08/2011 18:09

Just been to see GP today and he suggested st Johns Wart for low mood.
Has anyone tried it before?
If so how was it? is there any side effects to worry about?
I notice on the box it says not to take if depressed. My doctor said there is a fine line between being fed up and depressed. Now I'm a little .
can anyone help?

OP posts:

madmouse · 26/08/2011 19:47

I found it very helpful - and I had no side effects at all. In my experience (what I've heard from others) once you've been on ''chemical'' anti-depressants you may find the effect too subtle, but for me it was just right. Twice I stopped taking it and other people noticed very soon. I am off it now because I was ready.

And I've taken both cheapy ones from Tesco and expenive ones from Boots and felt no different.

They are proven to work for low mood, but not anxiety. They are prescribed by doctors in Germany and some other countries.

Sandalwood · 26/08/2011 19:51

I'm pretty sure you're not to take it if on the pill. So check again with GP if you are. There may be other things to be careful of too - so best look into it a bit.

madmouse · 26/08/2011 20:06

I would think that a GP who is clued up enough to suggest it would know about its interference with the pill and with blood pressure medication

Sandalwood · 26/08/2011 20:18

Yep. Just thought it worth putting out there.

TimeForMeIsFree · 26/08/2011 20:38

I have taken St Johns Wort and it does work but 5HTP works much better, imo any way. HTH

spongebunnyfatpants · 26/08/2011 20:43

I started taking it about four weeks ago and straight away I could tell the difference, I feel much happier and calmer now than I have done in a long time.

I got mine from H&B when they had a buy one get one for a penny deal on and I take it 3 times a day.

I've had no side effects at all and I would definately recommend giving it a try.

Original poster

Canistaysane · 26/08/2011 20:43

O.k. All sounds ok, Will have a good read of the leaflet (if there is one in the box). Then might give them a try tomorrow.

OP posts:

spongebunnyfatpants · 26/08/2011 20:48

let us know how you get on.

madmouse · 26/08/2011 20:54

5HTP is less safe than St Johnswort - It's also not natural like St Johnswort. It's poorly tested and can cause a dangerous heart condition.

notcitrus · 26/08/2011 21:13

'Natural' is a fairly meaningless word. SJW varies in how much active ingredient it has in, though some brands are standardised to always have the same amount of the main active molecule.

I tried it on two occasions and each time, after a day or two, I had palpitations like I'd downed four espressos, so I stopped. Also it cost loads and I was entitled to free prescriptions at the time so made sense to stick to the classic ADs, which worked for me and had only mild side effects (lofepramine).

madmouse · 26/08/2011 21:18

notcitrus for a herbalist it is not a meaningless word

Original poster

Canistaysane · 27/08/2011 07:23

Hello, am going to try them today but was just reading leaflet and it says can cause sleepyness or dizzyness. Did anyone find that it caused these or was it o.k.?
Will let you know how I get on but the GP did say it can take time to reach brain.

OP posts:

YouCantTeuchThis · 27/08/2011 07:30

what's the verdict on SJW and mini pill please?

JambalayaCodfishPie · 27/08/2011 07:37

I avoided SJW because im on the pill. I take 5HTP instead and have found it quite positive. It also works to help you sleep, and make you feel full/not crave carbs, which is a bonus for me. :)

FellatioNelson · 27/08/2011 07:41

What is 5HTP please? I am also interested in trying SJW but this other thing sounds good too - esp. the sleeping and carbs thing!

Original poster

Canistaysane · 27/08/2011 07:58

YoucantTeuchThis It says on leaflet NOT to take if on the pill or hormonal contraceptives
Also if on any of these:
Medications for depression/anxiety.
HRT.
anticoagulants.
meds for epilepsy.
immunosuppressant meds.
meds for hiv infections.
meds for cholesterol.
some meds for cancer.
some meds for heart disease.
some meds for migraine.
some meds for high blood pressure.
litium.(for regulating mood)
thyroxine.(A Thyroid hormone)
There is also another long list of meds it says it may affect.
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF UNSURE!
I am not a medical person.

OP posts:

TimeForMeIsFree · 27/08/2011 14:00

5HTP www.5-htp.org.uk/

I had much more success with this than St Johns Wort. There is lots of info about it on the net. HTH

paulapantsdown · 27/08/2011 14:16

I can't take SJW as on Thyroxine, and 5HTP sounds the sameish. Does any one know what I could try? I sometimes use ginseng for a little extra energy (which helps lift my mood), but apparently this can interfere with thyroxine too.

TimeForMeIsFree · 27/08/2011 19:42

paulapantsdown I have been on Thyroxine for 16 years now and have taken both St Johns and 5HTP and have never had a problem, in fact, this is the first I have heard that when on Thyroxine you are not supposed to take St Johns . It used to be just the pill and warfarin people were warned about.

Thyroxine is a natural hormone and you are just topping up your own levels so according to research you are safe to take 5HTP. HTH

Original poster

Canistaysane · 27/08/2011 20:01

I am only going by what the leaflet says in the box of ST John's Wart. I would recommend if anyone is unsure- talk to your GP.
I have only just started on St Johns Wart today so am yet to see how I get on with it although I am not taking any other tablets. Feel o.k. so far.

OP posts:

TimeForMeIsFree · 27/08/2011 23:34

St Johns Wort takes about 3 weeks to start working properly Canistaysane, 5HTP starts working more or less straight away. You might feel a bit of nausea but it will pass as your system gets used to it. Good luck with it anyway, I hope it works for you.

Just a thought but something else you might want to consider is a vitamin D3 supplement. I take this during the winter months when we have very little sunlight and lots of dark days. It seems to work for me. HTH

orangeflutie · 29/08/2011 16:11

Does SJW help with sleep? I've read it's good for mild depression and anxiety. Also I'm on a tricyclic AD at the moment so presume I couldn't stop taking it and go straight onto SJW?

madmouse · 29/08/2011 16:25

Timeforme - for me St J started to work in 3 days, very noticeable. I remain concerned that so many people think taking 5HTP is a good idea!

orangeflutie it is good for mild to moderate low mood, but not actually for anxiety. we are so used now to mentioning them in one breath but this is where they differ from SSRIs.

How soon you could start them would depend on the half life of your meds as you must avoid the risk of a serotonin overdose. Plus they work very differently, much more subtle I think so coming off AD you may not feel they give enough relief.

madmouse · 29/08/2011 16:28

Sorry forgot your actual question! It has no specific effect on sleep.

Clarabumps · 29/08/2011 16:29

I took sjw and did find a difference. Consulted with my doctor before hand and seemed to work against pnd. That was until I fell pg with baby no 2! Was on the pill. it didn't help my mood after that!

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