St. John’s wort is possibly the best known natural supplement for depression due to the excellent response it produces in clinical trials. This amazing herb has been shown to be effective against depression, anxiety, and even insomnia, as well as helping to strengthen the immune system and relieve muscle pain. So why doesn’t everyone use it? Well, as with any supplement or prescription drug, one size does not fit all. Take a look at some of the pros and cons associated with this drug, then consider talking with your doctor about whether this would be a viable option for you.
Pros
As mentioned above, St. John’s wort has been shown to be effective against depression that ranges in severity from mild to moderately severe. In fact, in clinical trials, St. John’s wort proved comparable to prescription drugs like Paxil and Zoloft. St. John’s wort does this naturally with far fewer side effects than prescription drugs, and generally much cheaper. Every time you start taking a prescription antidepressant, there is a chance that it will cause adverse effects on your body, such as dizziness, fatigue, lack of sex drive, and weight gain, as well as the possibility that it just won’t work at all … or worse, it has the opposite effect.
In short, if you are looking for something that is natural, has a low risk of side effects, works well, and is cost effective, St. John’s wort may be what you need. Also, St. John’s wort doesn’t seem to produce the same kind of addictive high that prescription drugs are known for.
Cons
While St. John’s wort appears to have much less serious side effects than prescription drugs, there are still indications that some side effects still exist. These side effects have not been shown to be the result of the supplement, but some people reported dizziness, nausea, and decreased sex drive while taking St. John’s wort.
Keep in mind that this supplement is definitely not for everyone. That is, anyone with bipolar disorder should not take the supplement; If you are unsure whether or not you have bipolar disorder, be sure to only proceed under the close supervision of a doctor because St. John’s wort, as with medications such as Paxil, can be dangerous for bipolar patients because they do not have a stabilizer. mood and can cause a very dangerous dysphoric mania.
What to look for and what to expect
If you just pick a St. John’s wort supplement off the shelf without knowing what you’re looking for, chances are you’re wasting your money. Many of these supplements on the market have low or no hyperforin content and therefore will not be effective in treating depression, so be sure to select a supplement that specifically states 3-5% hyperforin content.
St. John’s wort builds up slowly in the body over time, so expect to take the supplement daily for about six weeks before seeing any results, although some people see results sooner. If all goes well, you will see substantial relief from depression symptoms after that time with little to no side effects.