St Johns Wort?!
Question: I heard that St Johns Wort is herbal prozac. Another friend told that St Johns Wort has estrogen which is not good for men and should not be taken by men. Could anyone help please whether men can take St John Worts
Answers: I heard that St Johns Wort is herbal prozac. Another friend told that St Johns Wort has estrogen which is not good for men and should not be taken by men. Could anyone help please whether men can take St John Worts
It works for some but not all and it might not be the best herbal anti-depressant on the market. I would like to clear up a misconception though as far as containing oestrogen: NO it doesn't contain any oestrogen. Its not known for containing any oestrogen-like (mimicking) compounds as far as I know ....unlike soy (soya) for instance. Your friend may be confusing the two.
If you are on any prescribed medications you do need to check with a qualified pharmacist or your medical doctor first before taking St Johns wort. It is one herb, among others, that is known for herb-drug interactions. It basically increases a liver enzyme system that is responsible for drug metabolism and taking it can result in sub-therapeutic levels of some drugs. You just need to be aware of this and get a doctor's advice if you are on medication before you take it. Its the same for women on the birth control pill, hrt, and also for men on hrt for men.
If you are not on medication then it should be safe for you to try this. Just be aware that it can increase your skin sensitivity to the sun: use more sunblock. Do give it some time as herbal antidepressants may take some time to work. One of the major benefits over conventional anti-depressants though is that side effects are minimal or none.
If you find St Johns wort doesn't work well for you or you cannot take it because you are on specific medication then you can try Rhodiola rosea. This is reputed to be one of the stronger herbal antidepressants around. Its an adaptogen,like the ginsengs. Its works by helping your body meet the demands of stress: whether physical, mental or emotional or other. Its physiological or pharmacological effects in so far as combatting depression may not be known as yet.
Best wishes.
well, i can't tell you too much about it because i only just started taking it a few weeks ago. I do have a better mood with it. now as for being a man, my father use to take it, he doesn't really need it now, but he says it really helped him, i don't think he would give me or my brother anything that would hurt us. He did do his research before hand too, so i wouldn't be worried about it. hope this helps you out.
St. John's Wort
Keywords: hypericum herb, klamath weed , goat weed, depression, anxiety Send to a friend
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Introduction
What It Is Used For
How It Is Used
What the Science Says
Side Effects and Cautions
Sources
For More Information
? Steven Foster
Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information about the herbA plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots. St. John's wort--common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. St. John's wort is a plant with yellow flowers.
Common Names--St. John's wort, hypericum, Klamath weed, goat weed
Latin Name--Hypericum perforatum
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What It Is Used For
St. John's wort has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders and nerve pain.
In ancient times, herbalists wrote about its use as a sedative and a treatment for malaria, as well as a balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites.
Today, St. John's wort is used by some for depression, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders.
How It Is Used
The flowering tops of St. John's wort are used to prepare teas and tablets containing concentrated extracts.
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What the Science Says
There is some scientific evidence that St. John's wort is useful for treating mild to moderate depression. However, two large studies, one sponsored by NCCAM, showed that the herb was no more effective than placebo in treating major depression of moderate severity.
NCCAM is studying the use of St. John's wort in a wider spectrum of mood disorders, including minor depression.
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Side Effects and Cautions
St. John's wort may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Other side effects can include anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, or sexual dysfunction.
Research shows that St. John's wort interacts with some drugs. The herb affects the way the body processes or breaks down many drugs; in some cases, it may speed or slow a drug's breakdown. Drugs that can be affected include:
Indinavir and possibly other drugs used to control HIV infection
Irinotecan and possibly other drugs used to treat cancer
Cyclosporine, which prevents the body from rejecting transplanted organs
Digoxin, which strengthens heart muscle contractions
Warfarin and related anticoagulants
Birth control pills
Antidepressants
When combined with certain antidepressants, St. John's wort may increase side effects such as nausea, anxiety, headache, and confusion.
St. John's wort is not a proven therapy for depression. If depression is not adequately treated, it can become severe. Anyone who may have depression should see a health care provider. There are effective proven therapies available.
It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplementA product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs. you are using, including St. John's wort. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
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Sources
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. St. John's Wort and the Treatment of Depression. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed June 30, 2005.
St. John's Wort. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed June 30, 2005.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed June 30, 2005.
St. John's wort. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:359