St Johns Wort.................Does it Work?

[HadToChangeMyNameAgain]

Has anybody used them and if so, did they have any affect whatsoever?

I have googled and have got lots of medical opinions, i just wondered if they had actually helped anyone through depression, or whether it is just a placebo.

Would really appreciate some advice on this.

I went to see the doctor about 4 months ago and he said that i didn't sound depressed, just pissed off! So i really don't want to go back to them but i still don't feel right. I have no energy whatsoever, i don't want to get out of bed most days, i am happy for DH to deal with the kids and although it sounds awful am not very interested in anything at the minute. Just feel so low. But then other days i can be absolutely fine.

I thought i'd get some over the counter see if they could help?

Yes. It had a great effect on DH (he then stopped taking it ). He isn't generally a believer but thought he may as well take it as I had spent money on it.

Thank you. Its good to know that they can work. Do you remember how long it was before he started to notice a difference, or you started to notice a difference with DH?

About a month I think. The change was incredible though - I even had a thread on here saying about how I had my husband back

Hi yes it does work for some people and has been proved in trials. My doctor said it is as effective as Prozac for mild depression (so will work for about half the peple trying them). There are far fewer nasty side effects too, although incomnia can happen in a big way! Takes about 2-6 weeks to kick in. Make sure you get one with the 2 componants in (Hypericium and Hyperforin or something simelar) and the ones with chamomile in are great. Check the drug interactions first though as they can interfere with drugs like the pill.

Apparently they are very good, BUT if you are taking any other medication at all check with your doctor as they interact with loads of different medication.

Thank you, sounds like it may be worth a try for me I am not taking any other tablets at all at the minute, so should be ok.

Sorry to hijack this thread but can I also ask if anybody is aware of the time limits to take these for?

I have been taking them since April. The first I bought said to take one a day and the next lot I bought said to take three a day. They were differing makes and I was a bit anxious so kept on taking one a day. Am thinking of going up to the three a day as advised but was wary incase I have been taking them for too long already iyswim?

Jellybean - can you point me in the direction of any particular brands that contain the componets you mentioned. Am wondering if maybe i can order some online but am so confused.

The make I used was VEGA from tesco, about £6 but they don't seem to do it anymore (maybe do online though?). I have used tesco cheap ones though and they seemed to be OK. Kira were over rated I thought.

I took it for a few months but tbh I didn't feel any different. I tried instead some vit c tablets and after about a month I felt heaps better, and I still take them now.

Oh, and I think SJW can interfere with the effects of some contraceptive pills IIRC.

I felt much better on st johns wort - it stops one of the contraception pills working properly so take care!