St. Johns Wort

[Guest guest]

Can anyone recommend a good brand of SJW? My son's dr. told him to take

it for depression but did not have a particular brand in mind. thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Susan,

 

American Brands that I use and trust and that I know do St. John's

Wort are:

 

Enzymatic Therapy

Solgar

Nature's Plus

Nature's Way

 

In any case, you want a supplement which says something like

" Standardized St. John's Wort Extract (Hypericin 0.5 Mg [0.3%]) " on

the label so that you know you will be getting a standardized dose

each time.

 

Did his dr. discuss dosage? If not, then perhaps try the 0.3% extract

either 300mg-3x per day or 450-2x per day. I have read that you

should not exceed 900mg per day dosage.

 

Other supplements that may be useful for depression in addition to the

SJW are 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) and SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine).

 

I would recommend your son start on the SJW for a few weeks to see how

he gets on and if things still need a little lift then he should

discuss with his dr. the possibility of adding the latter two supplements.

 

Also, it's that time of year when lack of sunlight can be a real

problem for people. If he suffers from SAD (Seasonal Affective

Disorder) either in addition to his depression or as the cause of...

it might be worth purchasing a light box made for this purpose and

sitting in front of that each day too.

 

I hope this all helps and that your son begins to feel better soon.

 

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Susan,

 

I find that TruNature is a good brand. Hope this helps.

 

Victoria :-)

 

Susan <susdys wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good brand of SJW? My son's dr. told him to

take

it for depression but did not have a particular brand in mind. thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish you peace for today.

 

All my best,

 

Victoria :-)

 

 

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

 

 

[Guest guest]

There are some precautions in taking St. John's Wort. It can cause

photosensitivity (you could sunburn easily), do not take at the same

time as 5HTP, SAMe, or any other seratonin moderator or SSRI's

(antidepressants). Here is a bit of info:

 

 

St. John's Wort is a popular herb used for the treatment of mild

depression.

 

The active ingredient of St. John's Wort is hypericin. Hypericin is

believed to exert a similar influence on the brain as the monoamine

oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as the one in major antidepressants.

Mixing MAO inhibitors with foods high in tyramine, an amino acid,

produces one of the most dramatic and dangerous food-drug interactions.

Symptoms, which can occur within minutes of ingesting such foods while

taking an MAO inhibitor, include rapid rise in blood pressure, a severe

headache, and perhaps collapse and even death. Foods high in tyramine

include aged cheese, chicken liver, Chianti (and certain other red

wines), yeast extracts, bologna (and other processed meats), dried or

pickled fish, legumes, soy sauce, ale, and beer.

 

Some patients report that Saint Johns Wort caused excessive stimulation

and sometimes dizziness, agitation and confusion when taken with other

antidepressants or over-the-counter medications like Maximum Strength

Dexatrim and Acutrim. It also caused their blood pressure to shoot up.

 

I personally had a reaction to the thyroid supplement I am taking

with has Tyrosine in it. So, be proactive in researching it first. It

can be very effective though but you have to give it some time to work,

it won't be instantaneous.

 

 

good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, " Susan " <susdys

wrote:

>

> Can anyone recommend a good brand of SJW? My son's dr. told him to

take

> it for depression but did not have a particular brand in mind. thanks

>

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Can I make a plug for sam-e over st. John's wart for depression. It tends to

be more effective. Doses range from 400-1600mg. start with 400mg and after a

few days go to 800mg he should feel better in a matter of days. Then get dha

(NOT DHEA) DHA the part of the fish oil and add that to it and he should

feel dramatically better.

 

Most omega 3's have low quantities/ratios of dha/epa. The best is omegaXL it

is made by a new process and is 300-350 times more potent than the others

with no medication interactions.

 

 

 

Unless you are getting that get a PURE DHA.

 

 

 

I have found the combo of sam-e and DHA very successful for depression.

Jarrow brand of sam-e and vitamin shoppe brand are good. Make sure you get

the 400mg pills it is the most economical. Many brands used to contain no

sam-e until consumer labs tested them and embarrassed them by posting the

results publically.

 

 

 

This is why I recommend these brands I know they are good. The jarrow are

individually packed in that bubble kind of thing and that keeps them

fresher.

 

 

 

There is a great book on omega 3's and depression as well but the quality of

omega 3's vary GREATLY.

 

 

 

 

_____

 

 

On Behalf Of victoria

churbuck

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:11 AM

 

Re: St. Johns Wort

 

 

 

Susan,

 

I find that TruNature is a good brand. Hope this helps.

 

Victoria :-)

 

Susan <susdys <susdys%40aol.com> > wrote:

Can anyone recommend a good brand of SJW? My son's dr. told him to take

it for depression but did not have a particular brand in mind. thanks

 

I wish you peace for today.

 

All my best,

 

Victoria :-)

 

 

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

 

 

[Guest guest]

That is true - SJW, 5-HTP etc should never be taken at the same time

as prescription antidepressants (of any type.. MAOI, SSRI, etc.

 

I was assuming that as his doctor was recommending SJW that other

antidepressants were being withheld.

 

Didn't know that about OTC medications but it sounds logical - as

drugs are drugs, no matter the source.

 

 

This would be worth reviewing:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-stjohnswort.html#Int\

eractions

 

And 5-HTP and SAMe are still good options too.