[DelusionsDaily]

Has anyone here tried natural remedies like St. John's wort for depression? If so how did it work for you?

[adam_k]

I eat healthy and try to work out a couple times a week. That makes things better for me. Some people do meditation and that helps them. I never tried it though. I started feeling depressed back in October and after a few months of feeling depressed everyday, I decided I need to change my lifestyle a little. Working out and eating better didn't make me feel better right away, but I think as a whole it improved my mood. Sex also makes me feel better, but that might just be me.

One time I tried St Johns Wart. I bought it without a prescription or permission from my doctor. I felt like I had a bad reaction to it. It was so bad that I thought I was going to die.

Maybe it works well for others, but not for me.

[somethingtolose]

Originally Posted by MELISSSAD81

Has anyone here tried natural remedies like St. John's wort for depression? If so how did it work for you?

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy is the only therapy that has worked for me. Although I'm still in the early stages (started meditating about 3 months ago) and it can be hard to get yourself to meditate for an hour a day.

The main benefits for me have been:

1) Detaching from my thoughts (watching them go by like clouds in the sky).

2) Recognizing when my rumination and automatic thoughts are starting up and to simply turn to my breath and attempt to simply feel my emotions rather than narrating and ruminating about the feelings.

3) And my ability to have positive feelings has been improved, and I begin to view the world in a more approach oriented fashion

To be honest, I would literally go door-to-door preaching the gospel of MBCT if I knew where the depressed people were. It's not an instant fix, it took around a month of daily meditation before I started to see any "results." But I've finally found some hope, which is pretty invaluable.

The program I'm using can be found (audio and manual) here:

guilford.com/MBCT_materials

[Sivol]

Well I've been told that vitamin B-12 is really helpful, though I haven't tried it myself yet. We do have St. John's Wart in 300 mg capsules, and my roommate has taken them on a regular basis before. He says that sometimes they do help to easy his depression, however sometimes they don't seem to do a thing. I've only just started taking them and as of yet have seen no difference, however I have this page on my bookmarks bar and if I notice a difference I'll give you another reply. :3 Good luck~

[djesse551]

Originally Posted by will19

One time I tried St Johns Wart. I bought it without a prescription or permission from my doctor. I felt like I had a bad reaction to it. It was so bad that I thought I was going to die.

Maybe it works well for others, but not for me.

That is one reason why we must consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

As for me, I don't rely on meds when dealing depression, what I always consider is to do the natural way, though it is hard to be happy as we feel very hopeless in this situation, but sometimes talking to a person we really trust can be helpful. We should express what we feel deep inside.

[shortandcute]

I tried st. john's wort and it didn't work for me.

Wheat causes wide swings in moods. ( Dr. Williams new best seller called Wheat Belly
is enlightening about these things.) Wheat also causes cravings, just as sugar does
and is addictive, causing you to seek more and more every two or three hours.

Wheat will give me a headache, too, along with rye bread, especially.
(Dr. Williams says that it causes migraines, as well--at least one cause of it.)

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by djesse551

That is one reason why we must consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

As for me, I don't rely on meds when dealing depression, what I always consider is to do the natural way, though it is hard to be happy as we feel very hopeless in this situation, but sometimes talking to a person we really trust can be helpful. We should express what we feel deep inside.

With herbs like St. Johns Wort you don't need a doctors approval, and I'd even go as far to say chances are most conventional medical doctors probably don't know a whole lot about various mind altering herbs and what exactly the can do....its better to consult an herbalist for advice in that case.

Expressing what I feel deep inside can help at times but there isn't always someone I can trust to talk to.......then some family that is close to me just aren't the best people to talk to about my problems.

[CalmHope61]

So good to find some else who meditates too. I've only been doing it about 10 minutes per day for past 2 years and it was/is helpful. Right now, due to job or should I say "no job" circumstances I'm in really depressive state.

Originally Posted by somethingtolose

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy is the only therapy that has worked for me. Although I'm still in the early stages (started meditating about 3 months ago) and it can be hard to get yourself to meditate for an hour a day.

The main benefits for me have been:

1) Detaching from my thoughts (watching them go by like clouds in the sky).

2) Recognizing when my rumination and automatic thoughts are starting up and to simply turn to my breath and attempt to simply feel my emotions rather than narrating and ruminating about the feelings.

3) And my ability to have positive feelings has been improved, and I begin to view the world in a more approach oriented fashion

To be honest, I would literally go door-to-door preaching the gospel of MBCT if I knew where the depressed people were. It's not an instant fix, it took around a month of daily meditation before I started to see any "results." But I've finally found some hope, which is pretty invaluable.

The program I'm using can be found (audio and manual) here:

guilford.com/MBCT_materials

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I tried st. john's wort and it didn't work for me.

Although Valerian helps me quite a bit.

[Anika.]

I use mindfulness too, but also not limited to meditating but a way of being at all times and that is where I found the most benefit. Jon Kabot Zinn is someone who after reading his books and watching his videos helped me take that from set meditation times and carry it through out my whole day. I highly recommend for those who are interested in mindfulness.

Yoga had also been a huge benefit for me, moving meditation where I can feel connected in mind, spirit and body. And diet as Genetic has pointed out grains and gluten has helped me both mentally and physically.

Changing my perspective on the world, others and myself has had a major impact as well.

[Sivol]

Alright, I am back with a status update on the Saint John's Wart. I've noticed a definite mood lift and a general good feeling all around since I've started taking it regularly. I would definitely suggest it. Also I have to agree with the others; meditation is good for a multitude of things, depression being one of them. Both my step-father and myself can attest to that. I hope you're getting the answers you're seeking.