Does St Johns Wort really work?

Question

Has anyone tried it?

Answer 1

Work for stabilizing hormones? Yes, it does for me but it takes a couple of weeks before it makes any difference.

Answer 2

If you think it will it will, and of course, if you don't it won't.

Answer 3

I can take one and feel a "cheeky" feeling - my cheek muscles tense and I feel like I'm being forced to smile - seriously. I was told by a friend that takes prozac that she had that feeling when she was taking too much prozac. If it's not what you need or if you get that feeling don't take it. It's a SSRI

Selective Seritonin Re-uptake Inhibitor

It will keep your seritonin criculating longer then normal. Many other endocrine hormones effect out moods and if it's not right for you talk to a doctor and try another thing that alters a different hormone. I take it in the spring when I'm off my rocker moody - St. Johns wort only works some of the time and I can't take it for long. I'm not really depressed, just compulsive kinda in the spring.

In the Nursing Herbal drug book 2004 it's like this:

contains naphthodianthrones, including hypericin and pseudohypericin; hyperoside; quercitrin; rutin; isoquercitrin; bioflavonoids, ............catechin tannins; andcaffeic acid derivatives, including cholorogenic acid. St. John's wort may have a slight inhibitory effect on MAO with more inhibition of the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Hypericin inhibits atecholmethyltransferase and receptors for adenosine, ......and inosotol triphosphate. Hypericin has antiviral activity and other constituents have shown antibacterial activity; can also stimulate or inhibit the cyclic P-450 enzyme system. ...

Uses:

Used for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, restlessness, sciatica, and viral infections, including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, hepatitis C, influenza virus, murine cytomegalovirus, poliovirus, and Epstein-Barr. gargle for tonsillitis and lotion for dermatoses. ...

Dosage:

Capsules for mild to moderate depression 300mg by mouth three times a day, maintenance is 300 to 600 mg by mouth daily.

Liquid extract: 2 - 4 ml by mouth daily

Tincture: 2 - 4 ml by mouth daily

Adverse Reactions: fatigue, neuropathy, restlessness, headache digestive problems, diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, photosensitivity reactions, delayed hypersensitivity.

Adverse drug interactions = Chemotherapy drugs, cyclosporine, digoxixn, hormone contraceptives, protease inhibitors, Warfarin. Anesthetics, MAO inhibitors, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors like delavirdine, efavirenz, nevirapine, causing treatment failure... SSRI's herbs with sedative effects (enhanses sedation), Tyramine-containing foods like beer, cheese, dried meats, fava beans, liver, yeast and wine, alcohol use and sun exposure.

Pregnant women whould never take it due to the mutagenic risk to developing cells - also anyone planning a pregnancy should avoid it since it can change the sperm and ova. Transplant patients on cyclosporine therapy should also avoid it since the risk of organ rejection.

Considerations:

why is it needed?

Use with caution...

recommended duration of trial for depression is 4 to 6 weeks... If no improvement consider a different therapy

Use only standardized extracts to better control the dose.

It also interacts with many over the counter drugs,medicines

It can cause Serotonin syndrome (dizzy, nausea, vomitine, headache, epigastric pain, anxiety, confusion, restlessness, and irritability)

It adversly affects reproductive cells, it has mutagenic effects on sperm cells and oocytes (Men and Women Planning a pregnancy should never take this)

Always consult a health care provider before taking this herb. Always remind a pharmacist of any herbal suppliments you are taking - each time you refill or pick up a new prescription.

Always discontinue using this several weeks before elective surgery.

Discuss depression and seek professional counsel

Several weeks may pass before you see the benefit of this herb

You must wait a certain amount of time between stopping an antidepressant and starting St. John's wort.- your doctor will know how long to wait.

Keep this away from pets and children at all times