Anyone heard of St. Johns Wort and what is it for?
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Its can be used as a herbal remidie to improve symptoms of depression.\nCheck with your Doctor though as they say it can interfere with any other tablets that you might be taking, i.e birth control pills.
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In a small, six week study of people aged 18 to 70, researchers found 50 percent of patients taking St. John's Wort reported their condition improved, compared with only 35 percent taking Paxil.\n\nThe team also found fewer side effects among those taking St. John's Wort, compared with patients taking Paxil.\n\nHowever, there are a few points about the study you should know:\n\n[1] Out of 301 people initially screened, only 271 were selected to participate. Of that, only 188 people actually completed the study. That's a pretty small sample. The researchers are careful to remind us of this when they say "...the convincing results for hypericum extract WS 5570 observed in this trial deserve independent confirmation by other research..."\n\n[2] The compound cited is hypericum extract WS 5570, manufactured only by Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals in Germany. Not all extracts are the same. In the US, hypericum extracts are considered a supplement. That means quality/potency isn't regulated, so the amount of active ingredient (hypericum) frequently varies by manufacturer and even from batch-to-batch. One really doesn't know how much hypericum is in each dose of supplement versions unless the manufacturer performs rigorous testing and provides certification of same. \n\n[3] The cost of the tested compounds was not considered in the study. While this specific extract of St. John's Wort may be more effective and have less side-effects, it is not covered by insurance. I can't find a price for WS 5570 specifically, but products of sufficient quality cost between $80-$141/mo when taking a 300mg/dose 3x/day. Paxil costs $5-$15 deductible/mo with insurance.\n\n[4] A few folks with food and plant allergies also find themselves allergic to St. John's Wort. \n\n[5] A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted when St. John's Wort is taken with other medications, including over-the-counter meds since adverse reactions have been reported.\n\nHope that helps.
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I started taking it recently and I've gotta say that John indeed deserves his sainthood for discovering the beneficial properties of this herb.  I noticed a difference the first day, enough so that I kept on taking it...and I'm not one to take medicine either.\n\nI've noticed zero side effects, only positive attributes associated with it, my only regret being that I waited this long to try it. I certainly won't stop taking it in the near future either as this is the best I've felt in some years.  Good luck and I hope it works for you as well.
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This plant apparently has lots of medicinal purposes...See the site below.\n\nCurrently, the FDA considers Calamus root to be carcinogenic.  This assertion is the result of lab studies that involved supplementing the diets of lab animals massive doses of isolated chemicals (beta-asarone) over a prolonged period of time.  The animals developed tumors, and the plant was labeled carcinogenic.  Again, these tests were Lab tests of isolated chemicals in massive doses over an extended period of time. \n\nChewing on Calamus seems to sharpen vision noticeably, but ironically, this effect is more pronounced when you’re just taking things in, and less so when you try to focus on something specific.  When you do try and focus, the clarity diminishes somewhat; to return when again you return from “looking” to “seeing”.  This effect seems to extend, as well, into its more energetic effects.\n\nClearly, given such suggestive descriptions, it would be easy to assume that Sweet Flag is a hallucinogen, which indeed has been done.  This opinion has been widely popularized by Hoffer and Osmund’s The Hallucinogens, which briefly covered its use and said that it produced an experience comparable to LSD.  More suggestions were made because Calamus Root can be used in the synthesis of TMA-2, a synthetic hallucinogenic phenothylamine that is similar in structure to Mescaline.  It has been erroneously reported that the body converts the asarones in Calamus into TMA-2 as they are metabolized, and that Calamus contains hallucinogenic compounds similar to (and more powerful than) Mescaline, and that it produces “strong visual hallucinations”.  Web searches on Calamus will turn up as much information on its purported hallucinogenic activity as they will on its medicinal actions... more, perhaps.  Most often, they depict accounts of (presumably) adolescents consuming very large quantities of the root along with beer, Mountain Dew, corn chips and doobies because they are “pyschonauts” looking for a “plant ally” to teach them all about life; emesis is often the result.  This misguided course of action (which, incidentally, definitely does not impress plant spirits) is rather ironic in that Calamus can indeed serve as a “Plant Ally”, and you can indeed learn a lot of interesting things from chewing on it.  \n\n(All of the above was taken from the website below)
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st john's is the herbal alternative, however, if you find an other one, it probably wont work either.  Just get the scrip or try therapy for the time being (it works great)
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According to the PDR of herbal medicines, St. John's Wort does work as a mild anti-depressant that should not be used longer than 4 weeks. After that, if it's not working, you may need something stronger. Not knowing your particular situation, I would recommend working out the details with your doctor. The key reason for this is that there could be a negative counter-reaction between the anti-depressant you're taking and the herbal supplements.\n\nGood Luck!
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Exercise, healthy diet and St. John's Wort (can be purchased at any health food store or Wal-Mart).  It helps by stabilizing your hormones to get you back on track.
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St. John's wort worked for my wife, didn't work for me, but it's a place to start.\n\nI was almost certainly clinically depressed for a while in college and toughed it out instead of getting help, which I've decided was a mistake.  I had a relapse a few years ago and got counseling, but I resisted anti-depressants for over a year.  It was totally irrational, and I regret stalling.  Judging by how I reacted to going on and off the meds, it was obvious I had a chemical imbalance, and being ashamed of them or resistant to them was as foolish as a diabetic refusing insulin.  I did not become dependent and I tapered off after a couple of years.\n\nIf you're opposed because of potential side effects, keep in mind that the arsenal of anti-depressants has increased in recent years, so it's more likely than ever that you can find something without serious side effects.\n\nAlso keep in mind that depression that doesn't go away in a reasonable time is terrible for other aspects of your health, so toughing it out with exercise and comedies can jeopardize other systems in your body.
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there is no weight gain effect with it \n\nit works for some but not all people and you need to take it for at least a month before you can tell if it has an effect \n\nif you panic attacks and anxiety are severe you should seek medical attention as drugs are available - if they are mild but annoying you could try St Johns first as it is natural
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St John's Wort works well on all these things.
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sorry,never heard of it!Maybe we could help u out if u expand the letters S & N.
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variety of options.\n\nst. john's wort\nvitamin d\nginseng\nginko
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The monks of the Middle Ages grew mullen for a number of ailments, especially those associated with coughs and congestion. One of its common names was "bullocks lungwort," taken from a common home cure used to treat cattle with coughs and pneumonia. Sap from the crushed leaves of the plant is said to alleviate the pain of insect bites.\nhttp://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/Common_Mullen.htm\n\nMixed with heated beeswax, Mullen plant has been used to relieve Arthritis.\n\nDrinking 6-8 glasses of distilled water with apinch of unrefined sea salt could also do wonders.
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Have you tried st johns wart.  You can pick it up from health food shops.
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its an accupressure therapy for healing. One has to press particular point on palms of hand or feet to get rid of any pain. e.e. if theres a headache then you have to press few points on tip of ur thumb finger. I have read one book few years back, you can get book on this from any well established book center.
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St. Johns Wart is a good anti-depression supplement.
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Disclaimer and Terms. This article is the opinion of the author. WorldwideHealth.com makes no claims regarding this information. WorldwideHealth.com recommends that all medical conditions should be treated by a physician competent in treating that particular condition. WorldwideHealth.com takes no responsibility for customers choosing to treat themselves. Your use of this information is at your own risk. Your use of this information is governed by WWH terms and conditions.\n \n\n\nBy Angelina Cooke \nThe unusually low death rate and high incidence of healthy centenarians- that is persons over 100 years of age, in Tonga have prompted observers to ask why this should be so? The Tongans themselves would probably refer the curious back to an ordinary sea plant which the Tongans have harvested and eaten for thousands of years, as they believe it to be a source of longevity and health. \n\nLimu moui is a valuable source of an interesting biochemical called fucoidan and is a marine vegetable native to the coastal region of the island of Tonga. Recent research has revealed that the Tongans' faith in their brown sea plant has not been misplaced as it would appear to be a natural restorative and rejuvenator packed with nutrients, rich in antioxidants and live plant enzymes. It is said that these enzymes can provide improved protein digestion, support for the immune system and optimize overall health.\n\nLimu moui contains quantities of polyphenols-natural antioxidant compounds which mop up the dangerous free radicals which can damage cells thus causing degenerative conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes offering nutritive support to anyone suffering from a nutrient deficient diet. These powerful antioxidants can detoxify the body from heavy metals, free radicals and toxins, improve the structure of hair, skin and nails, support gastrointestinal function, assist in the reduction of high blood sugar and cholesterol and help to protect cells from damage at a cellular level.\n\nAs scientific research and data begins to emerge, this remarkable sea plant is creating significant interest among biochemists. Simply eaten as a vegetable it has offered people remarkable immune building and nutritive support, now it is available as an extract after 15 years of research into how to harness its unique properties and optimize the utilization of its therapeutic applications.\n\nLimu Moui- the health secret of the South pacific\n\nIn the temperate and unspoiled seawater off the coast of Tonga, dense aquatic forests of Limu moui thrive in the fertile bottom soil. Although used by the local populace for its healing and restorative properties over many years, the potential of Limu moui has only recently been recognized in the western world then only due to the curiosity of health-minded individuals. Soon questions regarding the superior longevity, vigor, disease resistance and overall body strength and stature of Tongans provoked investigations into the diet and routine consumption of this sea vegetable were initiated, with researchers attributing the superior health of the Tongans to this unique plant.\n\nLimu Moui contains a balance of synergistic nutrients in natural proportions:\n\n\n\nGlyconutrients (galactose, mannose, xylose)\n\nAmino acids (including glycoproteins)\n\nA wide range of essential and non-essential fatty acids\nA broad spectrum of essential minerals and vitamins\nA variety of polyphenols (powerful antioxidant plant compounds that protect the body from dangerous free radicals)\n\n\nLimu moui's polyphenol content alone is sufficient reason to consider this sea plant a valuable dietary supplement. These polyphenols are known to act as superb cell protection that can help prevent - malignant growths, tissue damage, degenerative diseases, toxic accumulation in tissues, skin deterioration. \n\nLimu moui also contains additional agents which can optimize health such as:\n\n\nFucans and fucoidan - complex polysaccharides