St Johns Wort and SAD

thewhiteavenger

Hi

I'm a long-term sufferer with SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) but normally only have two bad months with it (Jan/Feb), sort of keep my head down during that period, then wait for a sunny day in March to start to feel it lift.

Anyway this year I had a particularly bad time with it - I think redundancy, family issues and rubbish weather in March all contributed and so I want to hit this in a more structured way this winter.

I have a lightbox which is just about to come out of the cupboard and will start using it. I have a support worker liaising with my GP who is organising some exercise sessions for me. And I want to start taking St Johns Wort.

I have checked in Boots/Superdrug and it is amazingly expensive (and the dosages seem too vary). Has anyone any recommendations for where I might pick up some capsules that are reasonable value and a sensible dose?

Ta

There's a MIND guide to St Johns at:

http://www.mind.org.uk/media/90311/m..._wort_2012.pdf

danih

Superdrug!

Racheldevon

I think it's a tricky one - as you say the quality/dose and a whole load of other factors will vary - longer term it might be worth seeing a registered herbalist who can create a blend for you based on your medical history/symptoms, a blend which might be more effective than just taking one herb in isolation

By the way, Grapefruit pure essential oil is recommended for SAD

seven-day-weekend

My husband takes Vitamin D on prescription from the Doctor. This plus his lightbox really helps.

busybee100

I used to buy it from healthspan, there's often codes around as well. Be careful though I found after about 3/4 months I got serontonin syndrome but once I came off for Summer it quickly corrected itself. Just be aware it's a possibility - look up the symptoms so you can recognise them.

Toothsmith

This would be 'medical advice' if you talk about dosage, so I would restrict answers to cost.

St J W does interfere with other medications and conditions, so it would be as well to be aware of what those are before you start taking it.

Mrs_pbradley936

I suffer from SAD to the extent that I go somewhere warm for a few months in winter usually Florida. What really helps as someone else mentioned is vitamin D see here:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

You can buy the high dose from Ebay they are not expensive. I would try that before the St John's because that can interfere with loads of things.

thewhiteavenger

Thanks for all your replies.

I mention dose as I'm trying to get value for money (why I'm here) and it's a factor if one tablet contains three times the dose of another as they seem to do.

Thanks for the other suggestions (grapefruit oil and Vit D).

And the warning re serotonin syndrome, which I did check on yesterday.

I don't take any other medication and eat quite a good diet, even when depressed. I also take every opportunity to get real daylight in the winter. I have taken St Johns before with no ill effects. It's just that I've done it in a reactive mode when the black dog hits in January.

This time I'm planning ahead and plan to start on 1 Oct.

I have rummaged around on the net and will be buying from Gold Star though Amazon: 365 tablets of 300mg extract for £10.49, with £1.05 cashback from Topcashback. They're labelled Body Naturelle, and packaged in Co. Durham. No gelatine. That's the best value I could find.

I'll report back if you're interested.

heartbreak_star

Are you working with a doctor on this?

HBS x

helencal80

Be careful of St. John's Wort. While at college we had to research complementary therapies and my friend chose this one. She was shocked at how many other problems can be caused or exacerbated by St. John's Wort. It can make your skin sensitive, is affected by many drugs like contraceptive pill, thyroid meds etc.
http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=St.%20Johns%20wort