Can I have some help from those who have used St john's Wort please?

[Pruni]

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I find it very helpful, very calming.

I don't know that it matters what brand - others may know more about that. All the ones I've tried work. They take a few days to get into your system.

You can pay a fortune for them. I get mine in Morrisons, their own brand. They are literally a fraction of the price you pay for name brands. As little as a fifth of the price.

they tale the edge off for me (i use it combined with camomile tea and rescue remedy), takes a few days, i take 2 a day at mo (struggling lots at mo) which is max. and i buy sainbo's own coz they were i think £1.99

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My gp prescribed AD's and I wasn't happy about taking them so rang her and asked about SJW. I thought she'd have little to say about it, but actually was very pro and said that in German that is their first choice prescription for mild to moderate depression.

I bought the Holland and Barratt ones, which are just under £10 for a months supply. I've no idea about any other brands, but I would say that the ones I take have to be taken three times a day, which is a PITA. I'd be interested in changing to a one a day.

It took about two weeks to notice a difference, and I do think it's helped.

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hey pruni

I took SJW about 6 months ago after it was suggested it might help with PMT. I was advised to take the tincture (from Holland and Barrett) - just had to put a few drops into water either once or twice a day.

Tbh, I wasn't depressed when I took it so I don't know if that affected the way it made me feel - but it really made me feel much much worse at first. I felt completely hyper - almost like a buzzing in my brain. I took it for a number of weeks and that feeling never went away (almost like being permanently on edge) but once I stopped taking it, I did feel like I was in a better state of mind than before I took it (iyswim).

I think it works much like some of the other milder antids in that you may not see the positive effects for a couple of weeks so don't lose hope. Also, for some people, I think it can, initially, make them feel worse so if it does that to you, it might be worth considering a chat to the GP.

Hope you are ok xx

SJW did nothing for me. I just got worse and worse

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You must also not mix it with something fairly common (but I can't remember what )

my mom used make me take it and it really didn't agree with me. made me feel very ill and woozy. it made no noticable differance to my depression except possibly making me more pissed off as i was ill too!

(should add i''m usually the first to big up a natural alternative but i'm not a fan of st. johns wort at all)

it's no longer legally sold over here

Pruni, it may well work for you so might be worth a try?

Here's the royal college of psychiatrists' leaflet on depression - it's quite a helpful description of what your options are (and has a list of possible depression symptoms etc.). There's a section there on helping yourself - things like getting out to do some exercise etc. which can be really beneficial. It also goes through medication options.

Sorry I can't post more but I'm off out for most of today. It's a hard time of year Pruni - don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

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i haven't read the links yet but you can't take it if you are on the pill as it stops the pill working

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Hi has anybody tried St Johns wort for slight anxiety and did it work for you

Hallie, this is an old thread. Start a new one to get up to date replies.