Question:
Would it be safe for me to take St. John's Wort?
?
2016-01-28 21:48:30 UTC
I recently have became very interested in alternative/natural medicine (and plan to work in that field), and from what I read, St. John's Wort is a natural/alternative treatment for depression. And it says on almost every OTC bottle that it supports a positve mood! And I really want to try it, but I think it might be harmful to take it with other psych meds, and I take wellbutrin, lexapro (those 2 are psych meds), synthroid, spironolactone and birth control (for regular menstrual cycles). But I really dont think that my psych meds are working or helping! And I don't want to go to the doctor to have them adjusted, because I also don't believe in conventional medicine anymore since it is man-made and has chemicals and has bad side effects, so I prefer to use nature and food as medicine. But anyway, I wanted to know if it would be okay to try St. John's Wort or if I should wait...thanks!
Fourteen answers:
Michelle
2016-01-29 14:28:50 UTC
Since St. John's Wort is a herbal supplement, there is no oversight in the making and consistency of these products- the product could not even contain St. John's Wort! Some St. John's Wort products are a combination of several herbs and are not listed on the bottle. Unlike prescription drugs, the companies making these products do not have to follow any rules or regulations.

St. John's Wort has known drug interactions that could seriously interact with other medications. These interactions could be serious or even life-threatening. It is important to let your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking this supplement with any other medications just to make sure they will not interact.
Jimmy C
2016-01-31 09:37:43 UTC
No. Any time you want to know, just google the names of the drugs, for instance 'St John's wort wellbutrin interaction' and it will take you to medicine.com or other sites that show the interactions between the drugs. Herbal remedies can react strangely with other medicines.

It is worth looking up each of the medicines you are taking so you understand all the side effects. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.

Once you get off the psych meds, 5HTP is good for mood and GABA is good for anxiety, both natural. I don't like St. Johns' wort.
Ronald
2016-02-08 17:24:53 UTC
It disturbs me that you believe the things that these people write on labels. St. John's Wort

is something that you might be allergic to. It's plain that you have no pharmaceutical training ;

re you afraid to see a qualified physician, or a PA, or a qualified Nurse Practitioner about

what is bothering you.



Stay safe. Get qualified help, please.
Arggg
2016-01-30 11:28:26 UTC
Consult your psychiatrist. I tried St. John's Wort under a psychiatrist's care, and he gave me the go-ahead. I had to go off of an SSRI first before I started it. After a few weeks I realized the SJW was making me psychotic, so I stopped. But I've heard other people say it worked well for them. Not all doctors are trained to reject alternative medicine. A lot of them are open to it.
Rhiannon
2016-01-31 18:49:13 UTC
I have bipolar disorder (I just have really depressed/sad moods and really happy moods i dont get aggressive or anything) so I know what you're talking about with all the meds and ****. I hate meds. Ive tried St. John's Wort and it worked.. you should try it.. but be careful if youre gonna fully stop your meds. if you get ANY symptoms go back on them as soon as possible and call a doctor.. but if the alternative medicine works for you than thats the better way to go.
natpractitioner
2016-02-06 15:45:46 UTC
You cannot take St. Johns Wort with all of the other things that you are taking. My advice would be to speak with the doctor who has prescribed the Wellbutrin and Lexapro to you and let him/her know that it is not working and that you would like to try SJW; he/she may be able to prescribe the proper dosage or you may have to see an ND (doctor of naturopathy) to prescribe it and work with your MD to monitor your progress in healing. Either way, it is worth a try.



And you should also be making sure to get at least 1/2 hour a day of exercise as well as 100 mg. B vitamin complex. And stay away from coffee and other stimulants and try to stay off of all sugar as well. All of these things also help to reduce anxiety/depression.
?
2016-01-29 00:32:41 UTC
Go to your chemist and ask him to print out the drugs that you should not take with St. Johns Wort. I take St Johns Wort for anxiety occasionally and find it to be great, but my husband cannot take it as it is not recommended with the blood thinner which he takes.
?
2016-01-29 01:04:28 UTC
Heck NO! You most certainly don't want to mix all those.

Just a heads up - what you "believe" doesn't influence whether or not a drug works, or whether you need them.



There is only one natural substance that happens to help with mood that I would suggest, and you shouldn't take that one with spiranolactone.



Try exercise.
Tiffany
2016-02-01 21:24:42 UTC
You're taking entirely too any medications that belong to the same family. They're counteracting one another. I would suggest a new doctor. Get a fresh perspective.
?
2016-01-29 23:07:35 UTC
Hello Christina,



Most often doctors are trained to be entirely intolerant of alternative medicines. There are some doctors however, who regard certain forms of alternative medicine as valid complementary medicine.



If you feel that your current treatment is not producing the results that you want, then I would suggest you approach a doctor who has positive views about alternative medicines and who would be willing to work with, or at least liaise with, a practitioner of alternative medicine. This is important, because you need to be confident that any alternative medicine you take will not conflict with the conventional medicine currently being prescribed to you.



You can consider seeing a qualified practitioner of herbal medicine: St. Johns Wort is used for treating "mild depression", but there are other such herbs that may be more suitable for you like for example Lavender.



You can also consider seeing a qualified practitioner of nutritional medicine.



The brain, and therefore the mind, can cope with a high level of modern stress, but can begin to show symptoms of failing to "keep up", if your nutrition is lacking. An indication of this happening can be the sort of difficulties you are experiencing.



The first thing to try is to ensure is that you have a normal balanced healthy diet, so that your body and more specifically here the brain, gets all the levels of vital nutrients it needs for coping with any stresses in your life.



Consider taking a look at the following web page:



http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/healthybalanceddiet.htm



In addition I would recommend wholemeal bread with none of the fiber removed. You can tell if it is genuine wholemeal because it weighs more than usual bread and you will find that the loaf cannot be squeezed easily.



I would also suggest a portion of almonds on a regular basis. Almonds contain a wide range of amino acids which your brain needs. You can chop the almonds up and add them to plain LIVE yogurt. "Live" means that it contains friendly bacteria, that will produce important vitamins for you, while also protecting you against harmful bacteria. You can flavour the plain yogurt with fruit, maybe honey; anything you fancy - but add these things yourself choosing natural ingredients.



Try to avoid eating anything that can cause "brain irritation". These are usually non-natural substances which take the form of artificial colourings.

Start to look at the ingredients for the things you eat.



Vitamin C (with Bioflavonoids required so the vitamin C can be properly absorbed) helps the brain cope with stress. I would suggest you get this in supplement form from a health food shop, as the amount that you need for treatment is more than you would be able to obtain from food. The dosage should be not less than 500 mg tablets. Try one 500 mg tablet twice daily but you can increase the dosage if required.



You can also consider taking an amino acid supplement called L. Tyrosine. Dosage between 500 mg and 1g. This should be taken on an empty stomach with plenty of water, and then leave one hour before eating or drinking (though more water is okay). Thus first thing in the morning might be convenient. (Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling any medication.)



In considering conventional and alternative medicines, do not discontinue the medicines prescribed by your doctor without first discussing the matter with your doctor or perhaps second opinion doctor.



I personally believe it is best to be open-minded and that it is appropriate to take the best that both conventional medicine and alternative medicines have to offer.



I hope this helps.



Regards,



Robert.
?
2016-01-29 08:42:57 UTC
Not at the same time as taking the antidepressants Lexapro and Wellbutrin; you would need to be largely weaned off them both before using the wort.



Hypericum perforatum, (St. John's Wort) is popular, but it takes a fair while to become effective for some people, (up to 2 months) and can affect other medications, so it is particularly important to remember to mention that you are taking it, if on any other medications, or expecting to be, when you visit your doctor.



Women using the contraceptive (birth control) pill should avoid it. Since it acts to thin the blood, it should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before surgical procedures, and only resumed after full healing. See www.sjwinfo.org/ which is a website totally dedicated to that herb. It has a forum, archives, an FAQ section and is very comprehensive, and www.hypericum.com/- which is also quite extensive, and www.drweil.com/ :Herbs, and http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Treatments+and+drugs/St+Johns+Wort++-+Hypericum+perforatum.htm and http://www.depression-guide.com/hyperforin.htm re hypericin/hyperforin content; also http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-329-ST+JOHN%27S+WORT.aspx?activeIngredientId=329&activeIngredientName=ST.+JOHN%27S+WORT&source=2



Ensure you use a brand with sufficient hyperforin, along with the hypericin. Perika, Jarsin, or Kira are recommended. http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/kira-st-johns-wort_1_12320.html At http://www.bluepages.anu.edu.au/treatments/what_works/ it is given a 2 SMILY FACE rating, out of a possible 3, for non clinical (not major) depression.



It should be taken with meals, at least at first.



View my previous answer about weaning off medications at https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20120701085431AA1bG4i and navigate to www.womentowomen.com
Byron F
2016-01-28 21:56:12 UTC
Don't follow advice for that problem here see a professional
2016-01-30 13:34:00 UTC
It has been proven NOT to help with depression and in fact can adversely affect other medications.
?
2016-01-30 16:05:00 UTC
I took it for years when it was the fad du jour; did absolutely nothing for me or anyone else that I knew.


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