Herbal Antidepressants

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2006
Herbal Antidepressants
3
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 8:11am
I was wondering if anyone has tried herbal antidepressants like St. Johns Wort or anything of that nature for their anxiety or depression and how well they worked. I'm going to be trying a product from a new company I started buying from and I just wanted to see if anyone else has found success from these types of supplements.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 11:15am

Hi, Amy! We have had boardies that used herbals. Hopefully they'll drop in with their comments.


I have used chamomile & valerian for relaxation in teas. I wouldn't say they cured my anxiety, but they helped me re-group;) I know that kava has had some warnings put on it.


Here's some info on iVillage that might help you make a decision. Let us know what you decide to use & how it works. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan


http://health.ivillage.com/mentalhealth/mhanxiety/0,,rdigest_7q4jkgxf,00.html


http://health.ivillage.com/holistic/hherbal/0,,72s,00.html


http://health.ivillage.com/holistic/hherbal/0,,8584zsh8,00.html

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2004
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 6:21pm

Hi Amy, I would definetley suggest trying out some herbal stuff, I took SAM-e and it worked wonders for me. I also take relora and holy basil. Good luck with whatever you do decide to try!! : )


Kindra

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 8:13pm

Hi,

I use Valerian root to fall asleep sometimes or during the day when I'm feeling really "wired" (though I'm not sure it works so well for me during the day).

St. John's Wort capsules, I just bought a bottle three weeks ago and take sort of as-needed a few times per week. It seems to be working for me. I have really felt better every time after taking one, but then that could be placebo too. The bottle reccomends taking one capsule with each meal every day and I'm not taking that much, so if maintaining a level of it in the system is needed, then I'm probably not meeting that. But hey it's working for me so far.

I had read about St. John's Wort a few years ago: that studies proved there was a substance that worked to raise moods...but warning that the levels in herbals were inconsistent, so you could not really control dosage. Also that overdose could cause seizures or something really bad. So that was awhile ago...the capsules that I bought claim to have a consistent 3 mg of the active stuff per capsule and I think are recommending well under what would overdose (and I'm taking less that recommended).

So that's my experience!

I have a friend that tried 5-HTP (I think that was the stuff). She said it worked on her moods, but gave her the jitters.

Smiles,
Dee