Anyone ever taken St Johns Wort?

[bexbex78]

My boyfriend has just started taking the drops twice daily to treat his mild 'blues' and anxiety...has anyone taken it? Does it work? Side effects? Also can you drink alcohol with it?

[JoCannon]

It is apparently a very good natural anti-depressant (my mum is a qualified medical herbalist and raves about it) but you have to be careful taking it if you are female and on the pill, as it can affect its effectiveness. Not really a problem for your boyfriend!!

[artee]

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-35,GGLD:en&q=st+johns+wort+and+alcohol 

  Yes it works well on many bexbex.  Click on the link and it tells you to avoid alcohol.  A mild side effect is that burning time in the sun can increase, but I've been told this is minimal.

[smudge]

I take SJW every day - I still get the blues though!

[ann_h]

There are several groups of other meds that can be affected by SJW -they are listed on govt websites and easily googled.

[artee]

PS.. Anyone who takes this product and is still depressed should try something stronger, or take larger doses.  St Johnswort works more gently over a longer period of time. If you have wound up feelings inside, then licorice root is the one. If you are a bag of nerves then something with Valerian root in it plus there are a host of combinations in shops that are more dramatic in it's effect.( I am not downing st J's as it is good for lots of people)

[CiderMonkey]

my friend takes it and says it had really helped. she does still drink alcohol with it occassionally.

[bexbex78]

I took some of his yesterday...and have been sent home from work today as I broke down in tears! I think I have my period next week though. I also felt super spaced out, don't know if it was the SJW though

[Marvin84]

bexbex - a BIG HUG from all AB'ers!!!

[OBonio]

Hit a low last year and my wife put me SJW. It did help, but I wouldn't say it was the cure. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel I think for it to work. Some knowledge that things will get better. Then SJW could be the stepping stone. Just my perspective on it, could be totally wrong!

[bexbex78]

Thankyou Marvin...I am feeling more myself today (the bottle of beer might've helped though!)

[helster]

SJW takes a couple of weeks to get into your system. Taking it once would have had no effect whatsoever.

It is a useful antidepressant. Its not as useful as sorting out your problems tho. I know it's not that easy but it's the only real way to beat depression.

[bexbex78]

Is it any good for anxiety?