Is St John's wort useful?

Question

I read in a magazine that it's pretty good in case of prolonged period of stress. Do you think it's true or it's just an ineffective remedy? And how long does it take to work from when you start taking it?

Answer 1

It works.  Some people have to take it for several weeks before they start to feel the effects of it.  Others will start to feel different within a day or two of taking it.  You need to make sure that you use a good sunscreen when you're taking St John's wort because it will make you more susceptible to sunburn.

There are other herbs that are good for stress...eleuthero, kava kava (but google it and read the warnings on it before you decide to take it),  ginseng...also, taking a multivitamin with zinc will help you.

Answer 2

yeah sumtimes, depending on how stressed i am.

Answer 3

It definitely has an effect, there is nothing ineffective about St. Johns Wort. However, a lot of people can't take it. I am sensitive to it, I can only take it three days and I am too "wide awake" and my dreams get vivid. It also interacts with TONS of other meds, especially psychiatric drugs (antidepressants particularly).

It is a great antidepressant herb for some people however, as long as you make sure that you are careful what you take with it.

Answer 4

Always read the label as some of these things like St Johns can react with your medication your on from the Doctor.

Answer 5

St. John's wort is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.  Honestly I wouldn't recommend it just for stress.  Just like anti-depressants, it has side-effects so unless the stress is making you depressed I wouldn't use it. Stress isn't the same thing as depression.  If you do choose to try it out you should know that it reacts with many, many, drugs, so if you're taking any other drugs it is best not to take this dietary supplement.  There is a huge list of drug interactions, so if you are taking other medications then you should speak to your doctor to find out if St. John's Wort is compatible.  Also, the most frequently reported adverse effects are headache, nausea, dry mouth, agitation, and skin reactions.  May also cause sexual dysfunction.

Answer 6

it does work but it makes your skin extra senstive in the sun so wear sunscreen too

Answer 7

Conventional Doctors throughout the world are now extolling the virtues of St John's Wort. It is said to be more effective than Prozac and there are no side effects and it is not addictive. Get the "one-a-day" tablets and a few days later, you will feel better. Continue taking this until you feel great, then stop. Use it as a crutch when you need to. IT WORKS, it's cheap and you can buy it without a prescription. GO FOR IT.

Answer 8

Sai Ram. It is prescribed in some cases of depression. It is also  used in homeopathy but more for injuries and nerve affections. For stress, simple B-complex will probably be sufficient. If Hypericum (that is another name for it) is taken for depression (it is a mood elevator), it may need about 3 weeks to show its effect.