St. Johns Wort Versus Pharmaceutical Anti-Depressants

[¿Que?]

What do yall think?

[jediknight36]

It worked for me from time to time. Funny how the labels say stop taking it if you are on antidepressants. The ones I'm taking now don't work well but my hormones are all wacked anyway.

Posted using my ossim EVO 4G and Tapatalk.

[Volcanicity]

St Johns Wort's alright if you just have mild depression and just feeling a bit down,but for severe depression where getting out of bed or doing the simplest task seems such an effort and you feel suicidal then they won't work at all.If you're feeling like that then go to the doctors and get them to prescribe you Anti-Depressants.

[ellipsis]

I don't use either. Trying visiting a green house once a week, in addition to whatever else you do.

[Jalapeno Enema]

I have absolutely no problem with anybody who decides to take an herbal supplement.

However, the vast majority of herbal supplements' benefits are unfounded. This is not to say they do not exist, but sufficient studies have not been preformed to make a conclusion as to their benefit vs placebo.

The highest standard for pharmaceutical testing is repeated, small-scale, randomized, double-blind tests. The U.S. FDA requires that all medications undergo testing of this sort. Herbal supplements, categorized as neither food nor drug, but rather "dietary supplements", and manufacturers of products falling into this category are not required to prove the safety or efficiency of their products. It is actually is the best interest of the manufacturers to not test the efficiency; as is it sells, if it's proven a placebo, sales drop.

All of that said, I don't feel there is any significant evidence that points one direction or another, and therefore any conclusion would be hasty. Anecdotal evidence is not scientific, yet scientifically, you cannot dismiss something that has not been looked into. Even if benefits are unfounded, they offer a placebo benefit, which is every bit as real for individuals who it applies to.

As long as the individuals taking whatever herbal remedy they chose are self-medicating under the supervision rather in lieu of medical advice, there's really no harm done (as long as with any medicine, it is taken as directed.)

As for St. John's Wort, see below.

A quick list of some herbal supplements which have had significant studies:

Supplement - Supposed uses - Year of study and conclusion

Aloe vera- Burns and wounds - 1999 study was inconclusive, 2007 study supports efficiency treating first to second degree burns

Boophone (Boophone disticha) - South African traditional medicine for treatment of mental illness - 2005-2009 research suggests a high affinity to serotonin, highly efficient when treating depression (disclaimer: boophone is highly toxic; use under qualified guidance)

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) - abdominal cramps and constipation - 2006 study show spasmolytic and spasmogenic effects, providing scientific rationale

Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) - treating UTI - 2008 study supports diuretic effect

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - Nausea and vomiting - 2009 studies support use for morning sickness

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria, Spiraea ulmaria) - variety of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, pain reliever, etc. - 2006 study confirms presence of salicylic acid, supporting inflammatory and pain relieving proporties

Peppermint oil - GI issues - 1997 and 2007 studies support use for irritable bowel syndrome

Rauvolfia Serpentina - traditional Indian remedy for sleepiness, anxiety, hypertension - 1999 studies support (again, high toxicity; take caution and heed professional advice)

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) - Skin ailments, allergies, asthma, colic - 2008, 2009, 2009 studies indicate rooibos contain a number of phenolic compounds including flavanols, flavones, flavanones, flavonols, and dihydrochalcones. Studies with mice indicate rooibos may improve glucose homeostasis by stimulating pancreatic beta cell insulin secretion

St. John's Wort - depression - heavily debated; 2000 study suggested more effective then placebo. 2002 study found SJW to be no more effective then placebo. Another 2002 study and two 2006 studies show positive results. A 2004 meta-analysis concluded positive results can be explained by publication bias. Another 2004 and 2005 analysis have been more favorable.

[Bitter Ashes]

Health is one thing I really wouldnt DIY...

St John's Wort has some very nasty side effects if you have certain conditions and/or are taking any medication.

Leave the prescriptions to the doctors please. There's a very very good reason why they spend the best part of half a decade in med school before they're released upon the public.

[ellipsis]

Health is one thing I really wouldnt DIY...


During the revolution, we can all learn DIY medicine and treat our own wounds left from deseating capitalism.

[¿Que?]

Thanks for the advice. Jalapño Enema, have you read the wikipedia article. Apparently there are some studies done in Germany that proved more conclusive. In any case, whose to say the pharmaceutical industry isn't fudging up the results to keep their business. Most anti-depressants cost somewhere around $80 or more without insurance. It's pretty lucrative, and they have a vested interest in not offering cheaper alternatives, natural or otherwise.

In any case, I would definitely discuss it with a doctor, but I have a feeling they're just going to tell me to take the pharmaceutical, since they probably get kickbacks for every prescription they make.

Is this assessment too cynical?

[Bitter Ashes]

Possibly, yes.

Even in the UK, where we have the NHS and our doctors do not get any "kickbacks" from prescriptions, they are likely to prescribe either drugs and/or councelling, depending on the situation and the doctor's personal prefferances. The doctors would even most likely prescribe nothing, or recomend only rest than suggest using dodgey off the shelf suppliments.

I'm definatly of the opinion that doctors should always be your first port of call. They're possibly the best trained proffession in the world and all take Hypocrate's Oath. You really can't go far wrong with them.