St John's Wort As Effective As Prozac For Treating Depression, Say Scientists

St John's Wort As Effective As Prozac For Treating Depression, Say Scientists

www.dailymail.co.u k

It has long been a happy alternative for those reluctant to pop pills for depression.

But the herbal extract St John's Wort now has more than just cheerful converts to testify to its mood-lifting powers.

In what is billed as the most thorough study of the plant, scientists have found it is just as effective as Prozac at treating depression.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Hmm, quite the revelation, particularly in this modern day, heavily medicated society we live in...

This can't make the Pharmaceutical giants all too happy to be sure, as they are raking in billions off of their anti-depressants.

My guess is that either they will fund another "study" which completely refutes this one, or they will figure out a way to get this REGULATED, so that they can then sell it as another "drug-like" product of their own. heh

Still, this would be something everyone should consider before going on heavy meds for depression, IMHO...

www.dailymail.co.u k
(visit the link for the full news article)

Absolutely, St Johns Wort is a miracle if you suffer from day-to-day stress,anxiety or shingles and prefer not to get doped up on valums.
There is ups and downs to the herbal remedy though but not near as much as the fake, synthetic Big Pharma versions.
It takes about 2 weeks of use to really take effect in full for mild to moderate symptoms and I'm not sure how it would turn up on a drug screen but the upside is the side effects, there is near zero serious side effects, only dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and fatigue.

I will ABSOLUTELY vouch for St. John's Wort.

I'm even growing a plant myself.

I do not notice as much side effects as the above poster--but then, I tend to take it in emergencies only, so it could be a cumulative effect.

There are actually a number of studies out that show that St. John's Wort is effective at preventing recurrence of depression after an episode of major depression. My main concern is that people will take a pill instead of consulting an expert about a serious, potentially fatal, condition.

I would urge anyone, though, who thinks they may be clinically depressed, to talk to a therapist. There is no substitute for talk therapy -- not drugs and not herbal supplements. You don't have to go to a psychiatrist (M.D.). You can see a psychologist (Ph.D.) or Clinical Social Worker (M.S.W.). Both are trained in various forms of therapy for depression but do not prescribe drugs.

Also note that the formulas of herbal supplements vary considerably. As the article linked in the OP states, these results are only reliable for the preparations tested. It is especially important to make sure that the supplements you buy are reliable.

I doubt this news is actually all that worrying to the drug companies. I believe that most of the SSRIs and NSRIs are either past or nearing the end of patent protections, so there will be generics soon anyway.