What would be the proper dosage to take of St John Wart?!
Question: I am 5'3, weigh 117lbs.
Thanks
Answers: I am 5'3, weigh 117lbs.
Thanks
Herbal medicines like Saint John's Wort, because of the efforts of lobbyists for alternative medicine, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. They really should be.
Whenever you buy these herbal remedies, you can never be sure how concentrated they are, so you are always in danger of overdosing on them.
Also, some of them are poisonous when you take too much of them.
The bottom line is that you should be very cautious when using them.
Harleigh Kyson Jr.
Do you mean St John's WORT???
Take whatever it says on the bottle.
Just follow the directions on the bottle. If you don't get along with it then try 5htp instead. I couldn't take SJW, but the 5htp is working well for me.
Also, look for Rhodiola Rosea for depression. Health food stores or over the 'net. It has to be the Rosea variety though.
Dosage: The recommended dose is 300 mg of an extract standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin, three times a day.
Supplements containing 450 mg are also available and can be taken twice a day.
Guidelines for use: Take St. John's wort close to mealtime to reduce stomach irritation. In the past, those using the herb were advised not to eat certain foods, including aged cheese and red wine -- the same foods best avoided by those taking MAO inhibitors (a type of antidepressant). But recent studies suggest that these foods do not present a problem for those on St. John's wort.
Like a prescription antidepressant, the herb must build up in your blood before it becomes effective, so be sure to allow at least four weeks to determine whether it works for you. It can be used long term, as needed. Unless you are under the care of a doctor familiar with both conventional antidepressants and St. John's wort, the medication and the herb should not be taken together because of the potential for adverse reactions. Some doctors also recommend combining St. John's wort with the nutritional supplement 5-HTP.
Though no adverse effects have been reported in pregnant or lactating women using the herb, there have been few studies in this group of patients, so caution is advised.
If you're taking conventional antidepressant drugs, consult your doctor before adding or switching to St. John's wort.
If you develop a rash or have difficulty breathing (rarely, people have allergic reactions), get immediate medical help.
The standard dosage is one 300mg pill at a strength of 0.3%, three times a day. Make sure you read the label that it is 300mg and 0.3%--I've seen them at different strengths as well (weaker) for slightly less money so read the label because unless it has double the pills or is half the price, it is usually more expensive to buy the weaker ones (and not as effective). The CVS brand comes in capsules that you can break open and make a tea with, if you prefer.