posted February 21, 2021 08:12 PM            

I bought it as a dried herb, I make a tea from it but also can be taken in capsule form. I'm going to write my experience with it after trying it for 3 to 4 weeks because it needs time to work.

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St. John's wort By Mayo Clinic Staff

Overview
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering shrub native to Europe. It gets its name from the fact that it often blooms on the birthday of the biblical John the Baptist.

The flowers and leaves of St. John's wort contain active ingredients such as hyperforin. St. John's wort is available as a supplement in teas, tablets, liquids and topical preparations.

People use St. John's wort to treat depression and menopausal symptoms.

Evidence
Research on St. John's wort use for specific conditions shows:

Depression. Several studies support the therapeutic benefit of St. John's wort in treating mild to moderate depression. In fact, some research has shown the supplement to be as effective as several prescription antidepressants. It's unclear whether it's beneficial in the treatment of severe depression. Because St. John's wort interacts with many medications, it might not be an appropriate choice, particularly if you take any prescription drugs.

Menopausal symptoms. Some evidence suggests that taking St. John's wort alone or in combination with black cohosh or other herbs might reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

Somatic symptom disorder. Some studies indicate that St. John's wort might be beneficial for the treatment of this condition that causes severe anxiety about physical symptoms such as pain, weakness or shortness of breath.

Our take
Yellow light: Caution
Caution
St. John's wort can be effective for treating mild to moderate depression. However, the supplement interacts with many medications and can cause serious side effects. Consult with your doctor before taking St. John's wort if you take any other medications.

Safety and side effects
When taken orally for up to 12 weeks in appropriate doses, St. John's wort is generally considered safe.
Don't use St. John's wort during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
More about interactions http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-st-johns-wort/art-20362212

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posted February 23, 2021 10:16 PM            

I've been taking SAM-e, when I remember to, but I have to make sure to get up, and have a shower. I even dragged myself in there when I was really sick, a few years ago, because I needed it to feel better for a little while.

I used to use flower essences. I know that hypatia has mentioned some. They can help.

posted February 25, 2021 03:05 PM            

If you get up to a decent dose without side effects, and you still feel depressed, you can add a little bit of rhodiola as well.

Also make sure you make exercise, meditation, and getting sunlight in the earlier part of the day part of your routine.

posted February 28, 2021 01:44 PM            

I'm noticing significant deeper more restful sleep 👍

I think it's because it's increasing Serotonin and Serotonin in turn gets converted to Melatonin at the time of sleep.

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How can St John’s wort benefit sleep?
St John’s wort can benefit sleep by helping to regulate mood and by increasing the production of the body’s sleep hormone, melatonin.

There’s some evidence to suggest St John’s wort may provide some relief from anxiety.v St John’s wort helps the brain use the neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) serotonin, dopamine, gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), and norepinephrine more effectively.vi This can lead to feelings of overall wellbeing and happiness, and may reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Prescription anti-anxiety medication works in a very similar way. It interacts with GABA transmitters in the brain to improve mood and emotional responses.vii This is why many scientists believe St John’s wort may have anti-anxiety properties.

Although there aren’t many long-term studies that examine the use of St John’s wort for anxiety, the existing findings are encouraging. In a 2019 study, researchers found that St John’s wort produced a positive shift in emotional responses towards negative signals. The study found that after seven days of taking St John’s wort, participants remembered positive words better, had reduced attention to fearful faces and reduced recognition of disgusted facial expressions — results which also occur with other antidepressant treatments.viii

St John’s wort also supports sleep by elevating serotonin levels, which, in turn, facilitates the production of melatonin in the body.ix Often called the ‘sleep hormone’, melatonin plays a central role in governing your circadian rhythm. Melatonin peaks in the evening to induce sleep and dips in the morning to wake the body up. As St John’s wort increases serotonin, it aids the biological process that promotes quality sleep. http://www.naturesbest.co.uk/pharmacy/sleep-health/st-johns- wort-for-anxiety-how-to-achieve-a-more-relaxing-sleep/

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posted February 28, 2021 01:51 PM            

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Originally posted by Stawr:
Serotonin? Yes please!

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I'm starting to think that I was deficient in Serotonin.. but thanks to St. Johns wort it's improving now

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Originally posted by Stawr:
Happy to Hear that Aries Eagle!

I bought some tea of it, but I think it expired.

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posted February 28, 2021 01:59 PM            

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Originally posted by BlueRoamer:
Saint johns wart has serotonin properties very similar to prozac, it is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, it is nature's prozac.

If you get up to a decent dose without side effects, and you still feel depressed, you can add a little bit of rhodiola as well.

Also make sure you make exercise, meditation, and getting sunlight in the earlier part of the day part of your routine.

Fish oil, vitamin D, and Sam E also show some evidence for mood

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posted March 17, 2021 09:32 AM            

Very happy with the results... the sleep quality improvement is going to positively improve my fitness goals too because fitness with no good sleep literally don't work.

posted March 26, 2021 06:04 PM            

Vitamin C helps with depression.
(Personally I find biotin a mood lifter)

And vitamin D improves sleep (don’t take it late in the day though)