St. John's Wort - for Depression - The Herb of Light
Ken, age 41, has not been feeling himself lately. He still continues to go to work and participate in the usual family functions, but not with his normal enthusiasm.
Susan, age 26, has always had a short fuse. She is now starting her fourth job and doesn't want to alienate her new boss, yet she is already finding herself snapping at co-workers. She doesn't eat all day, and then stuffs herself when she gets home; she sleeps poorly and struggles every morning to focus on her projects.
Amanda, age 18, seemed to change overnight. Her once outgoing, cheerful attitude has been replaced with a sullen recluse. She stays locked in her room, sleeping until mid-afternoon on weekends. When confronted about school work she replies "Why bother - everyone is smarter than me anyway."
A Natural Anti-Depressant
Can St. John's Wort lift Ken's spirits, or soothe Susan's irritability, or boost Amanda's self-esteem? It might but not because it is the "cure-all". It may help because all the problems mentioned are associated with depression and St. John's Wort is an antidepressant.
Symptoms of Depression
Many are unaware of the broad range associated with depression. It is common to misinterpret poor eating and sleeping patterns, low energy and difficulty concentrating as familiar signs of stress when they may actually indicate clinical depression.
If you have several of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from depression.
Feeling sad of tearful
Feeling hopeless about the future
Being Low in Energy
Sleeping poorly
Having poor appetite
Having excess appetite
Feeling worthless or guilty
Poor Concentration
Forming plans or ideas about suicide
Treatment of Depression
Today's accepted form of treatment for depression are medicine and psychotherapy with antidepressants the treatment of choice. You probably know something about the class of drugs called antidepressants. Many drugs, such as Prozac, are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants (SSRIs).
St. John's Wort stands alone as it is the best known and solidly established of the herbal or "natural" treatments for depression.
HerbsCom.com has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy in this information is not a direct endorsement by HerbsCom.com. Recommended sources are sited on our Resource Page.
