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Author
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Topic: Herbal Mood lifters - a good idea?
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Lunargirl
Knowflake Posts: 1513
From: south of utopia
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 03, 2003 02:19 AM
 
Ok-- I've been following the Herb thread with interest, but wanted to pursue it further... I think that I've got a low-level depression going on, and I'm interested in what people know about the virtues of taking St. John's Wort, versus taking herbs that "rev up" the brain and body...If I understand it correctly, is it better to take a mood-stabilizing herb like St. John's Wort, which some people refer to as an herbal Prozac (!), or is it better to take herbs that stimulate more energy, like the brain-friendly herbs jjade731 mentions? I'm also seeking medical help-- I think this might be my hypoactive thyroid acting up, and I have an appointment coming up to check this out -- but wonder if there is some safe herbal help in the interim -- anyone? Thanks,
Lunargirl IP: Logged |
hrj777
Knowflake Posts: 611
From: Anywhere, nowhere ...
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted April 03, 2003 05:51 AM
Lunargirl,I have tried St.John's Wort wort and found it did absolutely nothing for me, however I suffer from a form of severe and chronic depression. In your case, since you consider it a low-level depression, it may be worth trying. I found it had absolutely no side-effects at all. Whatever you do, check with a doctor first. I have heard that mixing St. John's Wort with other medications can be dangerous. Wishing you well, Heidi  IP: Logged |
divinia
Knowflake Posts: 213
From: The Crossroads of America
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 03, 2003 11:47 AM
I would definitely NOT recommend St. John's Wort! I took it about 1 year ago for several months and found that it made me extremely aggressive. I almost couldn't control it. My poor husband!  In its place, I WOULD recommend taking Fish Oil, at least as much as the recommended dosage. It is a natural mood-lifter and it also has decided heart-health benefits as well. Please feel free to respond if you have any questions. I hope this helps. Sincerely,
divinia ------------------
It is never too late to be what you might have been -- George Eliot IP: Logged |
Lunargirl
Knowflake Posts: 1513
From: south of utopia
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 04, 2003 10:25 AM
Wow, St. John's Wort is not as benign as I thought.Divinia, when you say "fish oil", do you mean cod liver oil? I know you can get it in capsules, and that it has high Vitamin A & D content. Thanks, Ladies.. Lunargirl IP: Logged |
divinia
Knowflake Posts: 213
From: The Crossroads of America
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 04, 2003 11:11 AM
Dear Lunargirl:No, the Fish Oil I'm talking about is the one that has the Omega-3's in it. Cod Liver Oil is very good for the skin (in small doses), but it doesn't do much for depression. The fatty acids (Omega-3's) in fish oil help the neurons in the brain. Sincerely,
divinia ------------------
It is never too late to be what you might have been -- George Eliot IP: Logged |
shamrock227
Knowflake Posts: 210
From: Date and Place Variable, depending on my mood :)
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted April 04, 2003 03:19 PM
Add me in the list of people who don't like St. John's Wort. I don't remember feeling any more aggressive than usual, like divinia did, however, I was in a very high stress point in my life married to a man who went out of his way to aggravate me and was pretty agressive already, so it may have contributed. Other than that possibility, it didn't do a gosh darn thing. IP: Logged |
theFajita3
Moderator Posts: 1404
From: Sunny South Florida, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted April 07, 2003 01:50 AM
Have any of you tried kava kava? to relax?------------------
food is the only art that nourishes! IP: Logged |
Lindaland
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