Herbal treatments?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2001
Herbal treatments?
8
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 7:23pm
Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has had luck with herbal or other homeopathic treatments. I really don't want to take medication if I don't have to(which I think is ironic because my husband maufactures prescription drugs). first, I am still nursing my daughter. Second, my dad has never had luck with anti-depressants; they work for a while and then they make him manic.

One of my syptoms is weight gain - do you think treatment will help me get this under control?

I appreciate any suggestions you have,

Thank you!

-Kristin
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 7:57pm

Hi Kristin


Welcome to the board!

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-1999
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 3:22am
HI Kristin: I tried St Johns' Wort back 2 years ago, and previously to even officially being diagnosed with anxiety or depression, I use to buy Kava Kava - to take the edge off, and Valerian to help me sleep, that will also relax you.

But when my world crashed big time in 2002, and I started therapy, and realized how much help I needed, the herbal stuff didn't work, and I went on Effexor XR in January 2003.

My therapiist swears by St Johns Wort though, and she said for herself, occasionally if the chronic health problems of her one daughter gets to her, she will do St Johns Wort, she even buys the liquid kind at the health food store as you can fine tune take how much you want with the eye dropper thing.

I hope this helps. Oh, and if you take any prescribed meds for any other reasons, make sure they are compatible with herbal stuff if you do start taking some herbal stuff, as sometimes the 2 don't mix well together. Hugs, Josie.

Avatar for luv5monkeys
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 12:11pm
Kristin,

After my meeting my Naturopathic doctor last year, I am a true believer in complementary medicine. After suffering lifelong depression/anxiety/agoraphobia/chronic fatigue, I am antidepressant free and using nature's sources. It is a true blessing.

I take VitB complex, Fish Oil capsules (Omegas) and I use full spectrum lighting - all safe for you and the baby. I also gave up 99% of sugar and most processed foods.

You should not take St John Wort while nursing.

I've been using homeopathy for various ailments with exceptional success. Homeopathy, does not interfere with any medication and if safe for babies, too.

I just wish I new all this info when my kids were young.

If you want some articles on some safe supplements, send me an email...

Congrats on motherhood:)

Linda

weavrll@yahoo.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2004
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 2:15pm
I never had any results with St. John's Wort. I have been taking 5-HTP for about a month, and it is helping. It isn't enough- but then again it's only been a month. I would say if your depression isn't keeping you from functioning, 5-HTP may help you. (I don't know if it's safe for nursing.)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 3:27pm
I've tried St. Johns Wort, SAM-E, 5HTP and Valerian Root.

Christine

CL

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2001
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 6:46pm
Thanks everyone for your responses.

I am probably going to try to go back to my physician in about 2 weeks and see what he says. For now I am going to research some of the herbal treatments you recommended. My mom is a lactation consultant, so hopefully she can help me at least figure out what is safe to take while nursing (though I have to admit I am feeling very shameful about this depression thing, I have not mentioned it to her yet; it is going to be hard for me).

My daughter is now a toddler and obviously breastmilk is not her primary source of nutrition, but I want her to be safe, and I also want to allow her to continue nursing as long as she wants to.

Linda - I tried to email you but it did not go through...I was wondering if you could send me some of the articles you were referring to.

I am optimistic that I will find something that will help me.

Thanks again.

-Kristin

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 11:49pm

Hi Kristin,


In addition to all the help you have already received here, we do have an Alternative Health board that you might want to visit at:


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhgenalt


Herbs by name:


http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/lister/0,11805,246928,00.html


Treatment options by name:


http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/lister/0,11805,246969,00.html


Alternative Medicine:


http://www.ivillage.com/topics/health/0,10707,165884,00.html

IVHealth Ruth Ann
Assistant Community Moderator/Health Librarian
rjohnson@mail.ivillage.com

IVHealth Ruth Ann
Community Leader/Ask the Health Librarian

Avatar for luv5monkeys
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 11:32am
Sorry - I misspelled my email.

Here it is again: weaverll@yahoo.com

Linda