St. Johns Wort - Click Here

Those suffering from depression have long believed that their only recourse was to get a prescription for an antidepressant from their physician. Unfortunately many people find that the reactions they have from the antidepressant are worse than the symptoms of depression themselves, causing them to stop taking their medication and to have to handle the symptoms depression, which can lead to a loss of enjoyment in life and possibly suicide. There are some people, however, who are looking to natural remedies in order to stop the symptoms of depression.

Description

St. Johns Wort is a plant that can be found in a number of different countries, including North America, Russia, India, and China. It is a yellow flower that grows wild, usually in meadows, and has been used in a number of different ways, including by those who believed that hanging it warded off evil. It has become known, however, as one of the best herbal defenses against depression, and has been prescribed by doctors in a number of countries as a cost-effective way to combat mild depression.

Benefits

There have been a number of studies of St. John's Wort to discover its efficacy against clinical depression. Many of these studies have proven that St. John's Wort is a useful herbal tool to fight clinical depression that ranges from mild to moderate, and that it has fewer side effects than many of the prescription antidepressants available on the market. One study showed that those who took St. John's Wort, as compared to those who took a placebo, faired much better, having the symptoms of their depression drop significantly as opposed to those who were given a placebo.

Side Effects

Almost all drugs and herbal supplements have a possibility to cause some side effects, and many will interact with prescription drugs or with other herbal supplements, so it is best that you notify your physician before you take any herbal supplement, including St. Johns Wort. Some of the common side effects of St. Johns Wort include:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms - Many people who took St. John's Wort reported that they had some nausea when taking the supplement.
• Dizziness - Some taking the supplement reported a short period of dizziness.
• Tiredness - There were also those who felt a bit tired during the initial dosage of St. John's Wort.
• Photosensitivity - There are some rare cases where St. John's Wort has caused the person taking it to have a visual sensitivity to the light. They find that they can easily sunburn and that they have a more difficult time in the summer.
• Fertility - There have been some studies done that have shown that St. John's Wort can cause fertility problems in men and women
• Bipolar Disorder - As with any antidepressant, care should be exercised when taking St. John's Wort by anyone who has bipolar disorder, as it has caused mania in some patients.

Remember to speak with a physician before beginning to take St. John's Wort, to ensure that it does not interact with any drugs you may currently be on, and to ensure that you are not allergic to it.