One of the most well-known uses for St. John’s wort is in the treatment of mild depression. The Science Daily article St. John’s Wort Relieves Symptoms Of Major Depression, Study Shows offers scientific backing for the claim the herb has as a potential alternative or complementary treatment for depressive disorders.
The first step in the process is to discuss concerns about depression with a physician. Depressive disorders vary and some people may have bipolar disorder rather than depression. Bipolar is complicated because people typically seek treatment for the depressed states while ignoring manic stages of the condition. St. John’s wort is most effective on mild forms of depression.
Research Studies
The Science Daily article explores a studies that have found herbalists to be correct in asserting that the herb can alleviate melancholy in some people. Hypercin is noted as an effective element in St. John’s wort that appears to improve:
• Anxiousness
• Depressed feelings
• Low self-esteem
Other studies noted in the article suggest that the natural depression remedy is as effective as some prescription antidepressants including:
• Elavil
• Tofranil
St. John’s Wort and Insomnia
Insomnia is a troublesome problem that many people face. The herb has proved in some studies to improve the quality of sleep for some test patients. People who took the herb in one of the studies experienced a significant reduction in feeling helpless, hopeless, exhausted and headachy. The symptoms of sleep deprivation are similar to some of the symptoms of depression.
Dosage and Side Effects
While the dosage is clearly noted on most packaging that holds the herbal remedy, it is important to discuss how much you should take with your physician. Some people take the herb as a pill supplement and others prefer to take the herbs in teas.
Side effects of St. John’s wort are very slight, with the majority of users reporting no side effects at all. Some report a heightened sensitivity to sunlight after taking the herb. The glaring benefit of taking the herbal remedy over prescription medicine is the lack of negative side effects that can be experienced with prescription drugs. The lack of side effects does not warrant casual use.
Some conditions must be reported to a physician. If you are taking any prescription medications, it is critical to discuss the possibility of adding St. John’s wort to your daily routine. People taking the following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) should not use St. John’s wort:
• Prozac
• Paxil
• Zoloft
• Any other SSRI medication
Women who are pregnant should not take the herbal remedy.
Is St. John’s Wort Right for You?
The pressing question is whether the herbal remedy for depression is right for your specific needs or not. The best place to begin exploring this question is to discuss your experience with your physician. An herbal remedy may be the right selection for you but it is necessary to rule out other possible problems in the process of deciding.
Related Posts
Although prescription medication has helped many people to overcome depression and plenty of other medical conditions there is much more interest in herbal remedies for depression....
Stress can be defined in many ways and the result of many things in our lives. It is the response our bodies have to overwhelming physical, emotional, mental and environmental...
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, your doctor has most likely recommended chemotherapy. Many people do not want chemotherapy because of the potential side effects that they...
If you have suffered from depression, your doctor may have prescribed Paxil for you. Paxil is the most commonly prescribed drug for depression today, and it is considered safe....
Everybody wants to feel good about themselves; it's just a fact of life! It is actually possible to use herbal therapy for well being.
Serotonin is a chemical which is found...
Leave a Reply
