anyone have experience with St. John's Wort?
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grhandlan@comcast.net
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2016 9:20 am
anyone have experience with St. John's Wort?
Anyone ever take St. John's wort? I have some serious blues--- having trouble shaking it. My Mag and D are fine. I am not reacting to anything overtly. I have had to take this about 15years ago. It worked well back then... just wondering if it is safe for MC. Thanks Gena
Hi Gena,
I'm sorry that you're having trouble shaking the blues. As far as I'm aware, in your particular situation there shouldn't be any undue risks associated with taking St. John's wort unless you happen to be taking a prescription antidepressant, or warfarin or a similar blood thinner. I'm not aware of any reason why it would trigger an MC flare, if you're concerned about that. Of course that's not chiseled in stone, and as we all know, sometimes things go wrong for unknown or unexpected reasons.
Good luck, and if you decide to try it again, please let us know how it worked.
Tex
I'm sorry that you're having trouble shaking the blues. As far as I'm aware, in your particular situation there shouldn't be any undue risks associated with taking St. John's wort unless you happen to be taking a prescription antidepressant, or warfarin or a similar blood thinner. I'm not aware of any reason why it would trigger an MC flare, if you're concerned about that. Of course that's not chiseled in stone, and as we all know, sometimes things go wrong for unknown or unexpected reasons.
Good luck, and if you decide to try it again, please let us know how it worked.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
This happened many years ago. I worked in the health food industry for awhile. The company I was at didn't handle herbs but I remember being told a story about St. John's Wart.
At one point Barbara Walters did a special on St. Johns Wart. The result was that the product sold off the shelves quickly. The problem was that St. Johns Wart is a crop. So much crop is planted a year to meet projected demand. With an expected demand surge for St. Johns Wart, typical producers were not able to meet supply. Most St. John's Wart at that time was manufactured and used in Germany.
What happened is that Chinese herb manufactures seeing sales opportunity, jumped into selling St. Johns Wart. The Chinese were not as concerned about the quality of product. The Germans had a particular part of the plant that was used in manufacturing. Other parts of the plant were left alone, as they contained substances that cause headaches. To the Chinese this didn't matter. What they wanted was to make a product that met testing requirements. Large quantities of the substance for testing could be found in the part of the plant the Germans left alone due to it causes headaches.
To make a long story short, if I was looking to buy St. John's wart I'd look to see if it was manufactured in Germany. I suspect they make a product that can be helpful with mild depression.
It's a different idea but though to mention. Of late I've been doing light therapy ideas. Light therapy, such as SAD lamps, are best known for helping with the winter blues, which includes feeling down, poor energy, and weight gain. I was hoping a SAD lamp would help me drop a few pounds. It seemed to be helping as I'm down around 12lbs this month. I'm taking other actions also so hard to say for certain it is the SAD lamp that is helping me with my goals though.
At one point Barbara Walters did a special on St. Johns Wart. The result was that the product sold off the shelves quickly. The problem was that St. Johns Wart is a crop. So much crop is planted a year to meet projected demand. With an expected demand surge for St. Johns Wart, typical producers were not able to meet supply. Most St. John's Wart at that time was manufactured and used in Germany.
What happened is that Chinese herb manufactures seeing sales opportunity, jumped into selling St. Johns Wart. The Chinese were not as concerned about the quality of product. The Germans had a particular part of the plant that was used in manufacturing. Other parts of the plant were left alone, as they contained substances that cause headaches. To the Chinese this didn't matter. What they wanted was to make a product that met testing requirements. Large quantities of the substance for testing could be found in the part of the plant the Germans left alone due to it causes headaches.
To make a long story short, if I was looking to buy St. John's wart I'd look to see if it was manufactured in Germany. I suspect they make a product that can be helpful with mild depression.
It's a different idea but though to mention. Of late I've been doing light therapy ideas. Light therapy, such as SAD lamps, are best known for helping with the winter blues, which includes feeling down, poor energy, and weight gain. I was hoping a SAD lamp would help me drop a few pounds. It seemed to be helping as I'm down around 12lbs this month. I'm taking other actions also so hard to say for certain it is the SAD lamp that is helping me with my goals though.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Like Blueberry I have worked in the Vitamin/Herb industry, and based on what I have learnt since then on my wellness journey i think there are far better options than St Johns Wart
linked to the methylation cycle aspects (which is very much linked to MC) I would look at these type of options;
Active forms of B6, B9, B12
things like L-Methionine is the precursor to SamE
other option to investigate are things like GABA
the other item to consider is iodine (linked to thyroid)
this way you will be treating the 'root cause' of the imbalance.
linked to the methylation cycle aspects (which is very much linked to MC) I would look at these type of options;
Active forms of B6, B9, B12
things like L-Methionine is the precursor to SamE
other option to investigate are things like GABA
the other item to consider is iodine (linked to thyroid)
this way you will be treating the 'root cause' of the imbalance.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
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grhandlan@comcast.net
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2016 9:20 am
thanks
I will look into the other options--- thanks