St Johns Wort.

[MountainMamaGC]

After falling into a slump I have decided to take a TTC break for 2 months. I want to take St Johns Wort for that 2 months and try some counseling. Does anybody have expreience with St Johns Wort? How long does it take to work? Did it work for you?

[luckychrm]

I make my own and when I'm out take the Herb Pharm brand from the local health food store. Mine I think is more subtle and starts to uplift my mood after a few days. The Herb Pharm gives me an immediate boost, like more perky than drinking coffee. I don't think it is supposed to work that way, perhaps it is something ~special~ about my chemistry.

I do think St. John's Wort helps me stay out of a deep low in terms of depressive symptoms (irritability, self-criticism), but I seem to need to take it continually to get that benefit. I've taken it regularly for most of a year. I was diagnosed with PTSD 1.5 years ago and severe depression 1 year ago. St. John's Wort helps me manage depression without taking prescription pharmaceuticals that have had stronger negative side effects, so I prefer to use it, but it hasn't had a "cure" level of impact. I have found acupuncture and Chinese Herbs administered by a licensed doctor of oriental medicine to have more of a lasting curative effect, if that is something you are interested in researching too.

[Naturopath Mom]

I have not tried it myself, but I do know some that have. I would say from what I have seen it works for some, and others need more of something else. I would not consider it a cure all. I definately love counseling though, finding a great counselor that works with you and brings healing is priceless.

I hope the St Johns Wort works well for you. Keep us posted?

[Panserbjorne]

IME when it works, it works fast. I have even used it in very low doses for people who needed it and seen great results. If you wanted to, you could try it, but please don't be bummed if it doesn't help out. There are many herbs that help with depression and they all have slightly different actions on different chemicals in the body. If you need a boost in dopamine, taking something that primarily acts on seratonin isn't going to be the biggest help.

There are also other gentle options out there. Nat mur as a cell salt is a nutritive derivative of homeopathy that still has the substance present. It's excellent for grief/sadness/depression and is especially useful around issues of conception. I don't know if that's of interest to you, but I thought I'd throw it out just in case. Hugs.

[Surfacing]

[awallrising]

DH was taking St John's Wort & it turned out to be the wrong thing for his depression.   St Johns Wort works on very specific neurotransmitters & won't work (or could even worsen) certain problems.  Unless you know that St Johns Wort is what you need, you should think about talking to someone who can diagnose what exactly is going on & recommend that or something more appropriate.

[A_Random_Phrase]

Edited by A_Random_Phrase - 12/7/10 at 4:01pm