A few questions about St Johns Wort. Please help me?!
Question: A few questions about St Johns Wort. Please help me?
2. I am interested in St John's Wort since it can help people with sleep disorders. Does taking St Johns Wort just make me tired after I take it? Or does it just help getting to sleep better? I don't want to feel all groggy after taking it.
3. On average, how long does it take to notice the effects after taking a 300mg dose?
Please do not tell me to go to a doctor, or herbalist. I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Herbalists don't exist here, and getting in to see one of the few doctors we have, takes months.
Answers:
Hi The
1. 'Mania' is not a side-effect of St Johns Wort that I am familiar with - I have heard of anxiety in a few cases though - which, since its effect is that of being an antidepressant would seem to indicate that those affected might have been OK with a lower dose perhaps. 'Mania' can be described as being totally 'wound up' and intensely focused on something(s)
2. No, it wouldn't leave you feeling tired after - St Johns Wort is not a tranquilizer. Most of the herbal sleep herbs are not tranquilisers - prescribed properly, they are aimed at addressing the CAUSE of the sleep problem, not just knocking you out for a few hours.
3. I don't think St Johns Wort will help your sleeping problem - although I'm not sure exactly what the nature of the problem is.
4. I would be more inclined to suggest that you try and get hold of some Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - what this does is stop your mind from 'ticking over' repeatedly, if a brain which 'won't switch off at bedtime' is your problem. Hops (Humulus lupulus) if you need something to relax you so you can get to sleep. Valerian is the 'classic' herb suggested for sleep problems, but I don't usually prescribe it because in some people it, strangely, has the opposite effect and some people have pretty 'busy' dreams if they take it.
If you're 'in the middle of nowhere' perhaps you could go online and find a supplement company to buy from (where were you going to get the St John's Wort from?)
I am a Naturopath