Johns Wort
Johns Wort
Does St Johns Wort actually work for anxiety and depression?
I used to take Paxil two years ago but stopped it within about 8 months of use despite being told it was a good idea to continue by the psychiatrist.
But I went to see my GP a few days ago with another problem. I ended up telling him my issue with Paxil and he said I can try St Johns Wort if I would like to try anything herbal… I thought it was a bit strange for a doctor to suggest anything herbal but just want to know if it really works…
I stopped taking Paxil a very long time ago. It made me feel emotionally numb… really did not like it…
St. John’s Wort has some mild anti-depressant effects. Mild being the key word here. It was only somewhat effective in MILD cases of depression.
The GP probably mentioned this since you were complaining about Paxil, which as far as anti-dpressants go, is pretty mild in the ‘emotionally numbing’ effect. I’m on Paxil as well and this emotional numbness is disconcerting sometimes, but there isn’t really an alternative that works as well as it does for me. I’ve tried Zoloft (same effect, but stopped working after several years), and a few others (Wellbutrin and Effextor kept me from sleeping, probably because of the norepinephrine reuptake inhibition… or so I guess). St. John’s Wort will probably do the same thing, but the problem is that the active ingredient in any of the products is not a controlled dosage. So when you take two pills of this stuff one day and two pills the next, you may get different dosages. Or even different dosages between Lot #s. They don’t have to QC herbal supplements in regards to purity. That’s why I’d avoid it.
I guess what you have to decide is between the depression and the emotional numbness. Personally I found the latter far more tolerable than the suicidal thoughts, physical pain, fatigue and despair caused by depression.
There are other drugs that might ‘like you’ better than paxil. You might respond to Wellbutrin or Effexor far better than Paxil. They work a little differently.
Best wishes in dealing with your depression. I know what you’re going through.
Johns Wort
Is Hypertension Stimulated By St Johns Wort?
It is important to be able to recognize the signs of high blood pressure, but it is also important to know what can cause blood pressure to increase, so you can avoid these factors if you a prone to hypertension. For instance, not only can certain foods and medications impact your blood pressure, but so can some natural herbal remedies. In fact, hypertension caused by St Johns Wort, a herb commonly used to treat mild depression, can be dangerous for those who suffer from or are prone to high blood pressure.
St Johns Wort is a bright, yellow flower. Its petals are used as an herbal remedy that can be administered as a topical ointment for healing burns, but it is primarily used as an oral Dietary Supplement to treat mild depression.
Studies have found that one of St Johns Wort’s active ingredients, hypericin, affects neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in a similar way as antidepressant medications. The reason why the active ingredient is so effective is because it mirrors monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, which is the ingredient found in major antidepressant drugs.
How is hypertension caused by St Johns Wort?
St Johns Wort can cause an increase in blood pressure because the hypericin ingredient that is similar to a MAO inhibitor, produces a powerful and dangerous reaction when mixed with the amino acid tyramine.
Reactions that can occur when tyramine is taken in excess with this herb include a fast rise in blood pressure, severe headaches, and irregular heartbeat. However, it should be also stated that although these reactions can occur, there have not been frequent reports of such occurrences.
Nevertheless, until more is understood about the interaction, a person taking St Johns Wort should dramatically limit or avoid foods or beverages high in tyramine including:
- Aged, dried, smoked, pickled or processed fish or meats (I.E. bologna, salami, pepperoni, herring, etc.)
- Chicken liver
- Aged cheese
- Soy sauce
- Yeast/protein extracts
- Legumes
- Over-ripe fruit
- Figs or raisins
- Alcoholic beverages including ale, beer, red wines, sherry and liqueurs.
It is also suggested that individuals taking St Johns Wort also limit their intake of caffeine.
Moreover, aside from being aware of hypertension caused by St Johns Wort due to the tyramine interaction, you should also know that like all herbs, there is a risk that St Johns Wort may interact with other medications, including those used for controlling high blood pressure.
In addition, some users of the herb have also reported St Johns Wort caused a spike in their blood pressure when other prescribed anti-depressant and over-the-counter medications were taken with it.
Although, studies have found there is only a small reaction when other medications are taken with St Johns Wort, until further research can conclude the side effects or risks involved it is highly recommended that those using St Johns Wort to treat mild depression not take any other form of medication and also have their blood pressure checked regularly.
Finally, since hypertension caused by St Johns Wort is a possibility, individuals with high blood pressure, who have previously had high blood pressure, or who are prone to the condition, should avoid taking this herb. Speak to your doctor about other alternative remedies that do not increase the risk of high blood pressure if you suffer from mild depression.
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St johns wort and cilest contreception pill?
I am currently taking st johns wort as well as being on the contreceptive pill , i’ve heard that st johns wort can reduce the efficiency of the pill but i’m not taking it for contreceptive purposes, but mostly because it has given me bigger breasts. I would just like to know.. will taking st johns wort just cancel out the pill all together including my bigger breasts?! Is it worth me taking them both?
It just reduces the effectiveness of the contraceptive. It shouldn’t cause a problem with your breasts but if you’re going to have sex you should use another form of contraceptive (such as condoms) if you want to prevent pregnancy.
Herbal Plant Remedies : Herbs: St. John’s Wort for Depression
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