St. John's Wort and Mild Depression

St. John's Wort and Mild Depression

An alternative solution

The sad truth is that thousands in North America suffer from bouts of depression every year. Millions of dollars are spent on treatment and numerous hours of lost productivity go on the economic books. The lives of individuals as well as their loved ones, can become a living nightmare with feelings of no way out.

There are numerous drugs on the market that can greatly aid these folks but often at a cost. Side affects can become a difficulty to deal with as well for patients on some antidepressant drugs. If you know someone who suffers from depression, you know how difficult life can be for these people. And not only does the individual suffer, quite often the entire family suffers as well as they watch a loved one go through problems they are unable to do anything about.

Enter St. John's Wort as an effective alternative that can be effective in relieving mild to moderate depression with fewer side effects for most of those who try it.

As far as herbs go in treating symptoms of depression, St. John's Wort has been effective in treating anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, sadness, emotional fear, SAD [seasonal affective disorder] and has even been used in treating young children with these problems as well. A small pilot study done in 2003 on thirty three children, ranging in ages from six to sixteen, showed that St. John's Wort was effective in treating symptoms of depression in 75% of those in the study. Side effects were very mild. Imagine the relief of both patients and family to be able to achieve a normal life withou the pain of depresion.

Combining herbs like St. John's Wort, this along with changes in diet and lifestyle, can significantly improve the lives of those suffering from mild to moderate cases of depression.

Note that, as with all treatments, it is usually best to involve your physician or health care provider in the discussion of any medication, herbs or alternative treatment you undertake. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care. Many other remedies and medications are taken from plant sources as well and may possibly have an interaction with various herbal medications. Always play it safe, as with any other drug or therapy and excercise the proper precautions.

"Herbal medicines are potentially very effective and therefore should be prescribed and taken with care. Just because something is natural does not mean it is safe," said Michael McIntyre, Chairman of the European Herbal Practitioners Association.

Keith Robertson [Director of Education at the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine] and practicing herbalist in Glasgow, Scotland says: 'St John's Wort is a gentle herb which I have been prescribing for about 10 years for mild depression. I have not had any problems with it and it seems to work very well. It is always better to see herbalists..."

If you are, or you know someone who is suffering from some form of mild depression, talk to your physician about using St. John's Wort for a time under supervision. You may find it quite effective in bringing you some peace and happiness in your life.