Is St Johns Wort worth it?

[wowthisisnoteasy]

Just that really......does it have any impact?
(Anxiety and depression - reluctant to use ADs due to past experience)

I've had success with mild depression but you have to take the right sort. It has had some clinical trials but should look for the type of tablet that has extracts of the leaf and stem, these are more expensive. I used Kira low mood relief from Boots. If you want to PM me I've looked into medical papers written about it.

Thanks yoke.......do you know what I need to look for in the descriptions/ingredients to know I'm getting both leaf and root?

*leaf and stem

St John's wort has many if the side effects associated with SSRI antidepressants. You also must have a gap of 2 weeks between taking this and if you need actual proper antidepressants that work

I have to admit I’ve never tried it, but just to say, I struggled on SSRIs (tried citalopram, sertraline and paroxitine). GP suggested I try a tricyclic instead - only side effect was feeling dizzy when I stood up which settled down within a few weeks.

It's correct that you need to leave 2 weeks before you try something else. The clinical trial mentions hypercerin and hyperforcin which are in the aerial parts of the plant. There may be other active ingredients as well. The one I mentioned the Kira low mood relief is the only one I could find with the same elements that had been trialled. It does make your skin more sensitive to sun. I thought it helped when I had mild to moderate symptoms. I have also tried many antidepressants SSRIs and tricyclics and not got on with any except citalopram. I take 1/2 a 10mg tablet which just seems to lift my mood with no side effects. One doctor was completely dismissive of this as she said it could not be effective, but really if it works for me that's all I care about.