St Johns Wort do they really work?

Question

Hi my husband has been prescribed anti-depressants but they have made him ill, he is interested in St Johns Wort but does not want to waste time and money if they don't work. I would like your personal opinion on them if you take them that this? Thanks all.

Answer 1

St John's Wort, and Sam-E both have been shown to have some effect in mild to moderate depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Some of the benefit may well be from people taking action for themselves, and not going to the doctor to get a prescription.

There have been some intriguing studies recently which suggest that even the prescription anti-depressants may work no better than placebos.

That being said...if your husband is having intolerable side effects, he needs to tell his doctor, and consider changing to a different one.

Also, the treatment of depression is never just medication alone. There also needs to be some sort of talk therapy...whether its with a trained counsellor, the doctor, or even just close friends.

Answer 2

go back and see his gp to get a different anti-depressant there is loads out there and they will find one that suits.

Answer 3

My sister took them and she said they were great

Answer 4

St. Johns Wort works on mild to moderate depression, if the depression is severe you are better seeing your doctor ,I was  taking St. Johns Wort and I found them okay I liked the fact that they didn't have any side effects. the only thing is they do interfere with other tablets, I was put on tablets and I had to come off the St. Johns Wort. so your husband is better off talking to his GP about this. good luck.

Answer 5

Purely anecdotally when I lived in the UK i suffered quite badly from SAD. A light box + St. johns Wart worked best to lift my mood. Both had some effect but the 2 together worked very well. Interestingly it didn't make me feel really happy and buzzing just normal. I didn't notice any adverse side effects from it.

I now live in the North island of New Zealand and don't get SAD!!!(it is actually quite rare in the north island but more common in the south of the south island)

He could give it a try but you need to be careful when taking this in conjunction with other medication. It is best you consult your Allopathic Physician anyway as if St. Johns wart isn't effective he hay be offered an alternative prescribed drug which may be effective for him.

If he is suffereing from mild depression he may get some relief from life style changes such as diet exercise etc..

I do agree though that he should touch base with his GP or another suitable healthcare professional even if he chooses not to take the meds.

Answer 6

ima just gettin depressed readin all this!

Answer 7

Yes, this remedy is actually one of the few recognized by the allopathic establishment as having a "scientific evidence". But careful, I wouldn't recommend the use of this herb if your husband eyes are in the "silk" group.(Iridology science).

ED. I am very pleased to see, that the view of "SkepDoc"is more broad than previously believed. There is still some chance that if faced with facts, he might come out of his shell.