Hypericum

Saint John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) is a plant which produces a herbal supplement that has in recent years become very popular – sales in the USA alone are thought to be worth around $200 million dollars per year. The extract is most commonly taken in tablet form (such as that produced by Kira), but it also may be used as a tincture, infusion or massage oil. It is commonly described as being a herbal Prozac, as the best-known use of St John’s Wort is to treat depressive states – but is there any truth in this claim? In favour of the supplement, many clinical trials ... more

Viridian St. John's Wort not only lifts your spirits, it also allows you to make a donation to a good cause every time you buy it. It's not much more expensive than any other brand (£13 for 90 capsules, as far as I can remember), and yet 50% of profits are donated to environmental, children's and other charities. This is what finally influenced my choice of brand, and I feel that I have made the right decision - this works better than any other anti-depressant I have tried, including other brands of St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort is more widely prescribed than Prozac or other SSRIs in ... more

During the latter part of 2000, i felt myself slipping into a mild depression. I have experienced depression in the past and have been given lots of different treatments, including Valium. (Which, indidently, made me worse). Someone suggeseted that I try St Johns wort, as it is non habit forming and perfectly natural, and has been used for centuries by other cultures. Before taking the plunge to buy the product, I did my homework via the internet, sussing out the pro's and con's and any side effects that the Wort my induce. These included the skin being particulaly sensitive to the sun (i ... more

I am not writing this opinion as someone who has taken SJW (because I haven't), but because I work in a Health Food Store & so wanted to offer some advice. SJW is also known as 'The Sunshine Herb' & 'Nature's Prozac.' The main ingrediant is Hypericum & you should always look for the Standardised Extract (the best is .3%) As already mentioned in other op's SJW is more widely prescribed than prozac in Germany where they recognise it's benefits for helping with mild depression. It is recommended for MILD to MODERATE depression & especially SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder). If you are suffering ... more

As you probably picked up from the title, i am a BIG fan of this 'natural herb' i would like this opportunity to bow down and thank St John *just kidding* Firstly, to anyone out there paying £10-12 for your st johns wort, i haven't paid or consumed this rather expensive version of the drug, and can't comment on it, but, i am on version called 'valuepak' and it costs £2.25, contains 333mg of Hypericum. only one a day and abracadabra, the best i felt in nearly two years. I started on St Johns briefly whilst waiting to start 'Lustral' a medicinal brother to 'Prozac' and after a week of starting ... more