User Reviews for st. john's wort

I've used it off and on for many years. Overall it helped quite a bit with depression, but I do feel that I developed some tolerance, and the effects would wane after an initial strong improvement.

I take 900mg at bed time. It helps me get up and face my day with a smile. If I do not take it I am worthless (depression). I have taken St.John's wort off an on for 10 years. First day I took it this year(Aug.)I cleaned out my fridge with a smile(who likes that job).

I have been taking SJW for 3 months on then one month off and it has been 10 months. While it does make me feel calm and get over my obsessive thoughts of being cheated on, it did increase my BP, caused tremendous hair loss and stiff neck. Once I realized that these were the side effects due to SJW, I decided to stop it and instead do meditation as well as Fish oil and running.

Excellent response and effectiveness. Know SJW is reason for improvement, as symptons return if I miss 1 day.

I first started SJW about a month ago along with Fish Oil and so far still feeling depressed. The only thing that I noticed since taking it is weird dreams and tiredness. The dreams are very cool and I often look foward to them when before I go to sleep. But anyway, I will continue taking them along with my fish oil in hopes of alleviating my depression symptoms. If you have trouble going to sleep this might be the pill for you.

I started taking it for depression. After only 2-3 days I noticed my skin felt like it had be chemically burned (and yes, i know that feeling) and my eyelids were especially sensitive. Turns out St. Johns Wort causes extreme sensitivity in people with more fair skin types. It was causing my skin to literally cook from the inside out. It was very painful. I stopped taking it right away.

I was in the navy and was Diagnosed with Bi-polar 2 disorder and was ordered on 900 Mg lithium along with 100mg Seroquil. after 3+ months of lithium and seroquil i did feel better but it seemed they also removed some feelings in ur life aswell as being terrible on the body. after a medboard review i was released from active duty on a medical discharge and finally i was able to find another alternative, So looking through many books and resources i found St.Johns Wort, I stopped taking my lithium and seroquil at once which luckily didnt cause any adverse effects. I started taking 900mg of SJW daily and since then it has been outstanding, ive been motivated and a sense of true happiness. The only negative thing so far is its causing me to sleep very little but adjusting dosing etc will solve that. also it hasn't caused any manic episodes nor any cycling of moods.Read More Read Less

So far I'm in a better mood when taking SJW. I take 450mg SJW before bedtime since i also have insomnia and chronic fatigue disorder.

My experience has been similar to most of the comments here. SJW has helped me a lot with my depression. It took about two weeks for me to feel a difference, but now I feel much better and my mood is much more stable. I only felt mild side effects for the first few days. I take it before I go to sleep.

I took this for a mood enhancer...had been taking Sam-e and Tyrosine..while I get a bit of sunsitivity, and stomach upset, Ive been on it for 2-3 weeks...and have more color to my world and motivation..

I began taking St Johns Wort about a year ago, but my skeptical wife did not trust its effectiveness and we conducted an experiment where The St. Johns Wort was alternately replaced with a placebo (identical looking vitamin). During the periods of placebo, the effect virtually went away. This is not recommended since you should never suddenly stop this supplement, but it sold me and her. I was on prozac, and found St. Johns to have a very similar effect. Also L-tyrosine stacked with 5- htp is a much more long term solution since your body builds a resistance to St. Johns. Do not mix St. Johns and L-tyrosine/ 5-Htp. Do your research!!! Just a suggestion from someone whose life was turned around by these supplements. Read More Read Less

I'm a 37 year old women. I've been experiencing anxiety and depression. My muscles were very tense. I've tried some antidepressant medications and I've felt worse. I've been taking St. John's Wort for 1 week and I feel much better. It took the edge off. I feel so calm and at peace.

I take 2 per day of 300 mg- seems to give me a stomach ache. Anyone else get this?

I started on St. John's as an alternative to rx anti-depressants. It also eases my many aches and pains, has regulated my sleep pattern, and I find myself smoking less. My energy level has increased and I feel genuinely happy and positive. I was taking Cymbalta, ran out and went through the worst withdrawals I have ever experienced; and I have gone through my fair share. Together with reducing my sugar intake, diet of lower fat products, "dancercise" and Diazepam (Valium), I have never felt better. And, I have my libido back (I'm 48). I have had 3 major motor vehicle accidents, which left me physically disabled and very depressed. For the past 18 years I have tried every anti-depressant out there. None of them really worked. I added Abilify. Still no real change. I was still not happy and had no energy. Now that I'm taking St. John's Wort, I feel confident that I will never go on antis again. And beware of Cymbalta. Like I said, I tried everything and went off them all, but the Cymbalta was the worst. I actually wound up in the ER, dehydrated from the incessant vomiting which is part of the withdrawal. There's also confusion, no sleep, sleeping all the time, no appetite, eating all the time, extreme irritability, dark depression, mood swings and chronic fatigue. All this lasts about 3 weeks. I've heard of some people suffering longer. I was lucky. Oh yes, don't forget to pray! St. John's Wort: Nature's anti-depressant and mine. Wish I had learned about it 18 years ago. Read More Read Less

I've used St. Johns Wort for more than 5 years. I also take vitamins but no Rx meds. Two to three, 300 mg. standardized extract capsules a day with meals are enough to keep me emotionally balanced from May through September. As hours of daylight decrease in fall and winter, I increase dosage to 6 capsules a day. I have never been diagnosed with depression or seasonal affective disorder but having taken self-screening questionnaires for both, I think I sometimes have either or both. I can tell within hours if I forget to take St. Johns Wort as I become sad and less resilient, more withdrawn, less interested in getting out and doing things and...less happy with myself and my life. Few doctors and nurses have heard of St. John's Wort it seems. They are aware of the expensive and new medications for depression frequently advertised on TV but not the cheap ($3-$6 for 60-100 capsules), readily available (Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, most drugstores) treatment that has been used for decades if not centuries. It works for me and has for years. If I took any prescribed medication, I would be more cautious in using St. Joh's Wort. Pharmacists can advise you or go to a reputable med-checker website, including this one, to see if anything you are taking should not be taken with St. John's Wort. Read More Read Less

I have always had a problem with stress, anxiety. and depression. I have taken St. John's Wort before and stop. I fell into a spiral of depression and almost took my life. So I started the treatment again and I feel better than I have ever felt. I would strongly recommend St. John's Wort. Thank you for saving my life.

My mother suggested taking it, citing that my sister had improved her own mood with the herb. Overall, my experience has been overwhelmingly good. It doesn't eliminate my bad days, but it takes the edge off. The darkness is a little brighter when I take my St. John's Wort, and for me that's reason enough to keep taking it. Anything to avoid those dark days of seemingly endless pain!

This has worked better for me than any anti depressive drug. No side effects. Creates a positive mood and feeling of well being! Takes about 4-5 weeks to built up in your system to feel full effect. After about 6 months go off it for a month and then go back on it if you need to.