My health has significantly improved in many respects, but I still have a constellation of neurological/psychiatric symptoms since getting lyme that just can't seem to go away.
Daily use of St. John's Wort at ~350mg seems to help my mood and motivation significantly.
What are considerations for long-term use? Does tolerance build? Have others had positive experiences with long-term use? I am concerned that I will gain tolerance and/or go through significant withdrawal if I stop.
Thank you!
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
St. john's wort, in my opinion, is a mild herb that can be used life long.
Very known plant, I've never heard anyone reacting too badly to it.
I also love it as a tea (taste is mild). It's easy to cultivate in your garden.
In the homeopathic form, it's called Hypericum. I find it is one of the MOST useful remedies against all sorts of problems, specially viral infections.
Hypericum in different dilutions and potencies have been used for the nerves, but also as an anti infectious agent.
It is certainly one of my favorites, among Ledum and Arnica.
If you like the herbal form, you may profit from the homeopathic dilutions. It is mild, as homeopathy, in my experience.
They do say it can react with other chemicals (I never felt that though, maybe because I do not take chemicals...).
The neuro protective effect MAYBE comes from its anti-viral effects (?). My guess... Many viruses attack our brains, in chronic form.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
common uses of Hypericum in homeopathy (related to infection and nerve pain)
Posted by stork (Member # 24167) on :
Thanks Brussels, all these links are super helpful.
Has anyone else had anecdotal experience using St. John's Wort for an extended period of time?
Though not lyme-themed, I'm also finding this website and its forums to be a helpful resource: http://www.sjwinfo.org/forum/ Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< stork >>>>>,
St. Johns Wort is similar in effect to Amitryptyline, one caution,do use eye protection in the sun,as it can make the eyes photo sensitive for some reason.
I think it is good for a number of things, I used it pre-Lyme Dx for a time, and it seemed to help. I am sensitive to a lot of meds and eventually had to stop using it. I think most folks do okay on it tho'. [I cannot use Amitryptyline any more either].
It surely wouldn't hurt to research it, and if you aren't experiencing any problems, perhaps it will continue to help you!
I'll come back later,as I want to check the links out! Brussels, I am glad you and stork put up the links. And Stork, asking questions is a good thing!
So often ,I am looking for something, and stumble across a question,here, someone else is looking for the same info'. That is why I love this LymeNet Site!!!
Even tho' I can't use St. Johns Wort now, perhaps I can find something similar that I wont too,eventually.
Jus' Silverwolfi here
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
I hope we're talking about the same thing!?: I'm referring to a plant (herb), that I grow in my garden.
I simply make teas from aerial parts of it (flower, leaves, stem).
It's NOT a drug, as much as parsley, or lettuce are not drugs.
I have no problem with St. John's wort in tea form (decoction), nor in its homeopathic form - called Hypericum.
I find it more helpful in homeopathic form, because it does deal with many viral infections.
the possibility of working through potencies and dilutions make it 'act' like a drug, but without chemicals from drugs.
It's totally inoffensive when diluted but more 'powerful' because of homeopathic dilutions.
... It's sort of hard to explain, if you are not familiar with homeopathy.
AS homeopathic remedy, it is sold over the counter in Europe, no prescription needed.
It's commonly given to infants, children, old people, animals, anyone can take it.
I really like it and had used it many times, specially during lyme.
After lyme was gone, I still used it for viral colds.
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< stork,and Brussels >>>>>,
Brussels, yep,I'm referring to simple capsules containing the herb St. Johns wort.
I was really surprised to find I had any problem with it. I read about the photo-sensitivity, when wandering thru links about it,looking up info'.
I started getting a rash, which puzzled me, but I am allergic to many things. I haven't tried it since the Lyme and Co's Dx back in 2006. I wonder if I could find it in tea form,at our health food stores.
Perhaps a weaker tea preparation might help.Our local Vitamin and supplement store sells some teas. Will have to see if they have it. It would be nice to see if I had any rash issues, if not,a weaker formula might be good.
Hello stork, how are you doing, I do hope the St. Johns wort can help you! Neuro' symptoms are no fun at all.
I'll check back when I am able too,
Jus' Silverwolfi
Posted by Badtick (Member # 9794) on :
Be aware that it has significant interaction with other meds as it is a strong cytochrome P450 inducer. Similar to rifampin.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Yep, I just read that it may interact with DRUGS.
I don't take any drugs (since lyme, I gave up on any drug, not even aspirin), so it's not a problem for me.
but if you guys are in drugs, just google before taking st. john's wort.
Or shift to homeopathic Hypericum (it is not chemical, only water).
There can't be any interaction, as there are no chemicals! Try a 6X or 12X, for the start. If you don't react, try a 30X or 60X.
If still no reaction, try a 100C (very strong), but still, zero chemicals (except for water).
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< stork, Badtick, and Brussels >>>>>,
Thanks for the drug interaction warning, I have to takea couple of prescriptions,so that's important to know!
Brussels, I'll have to check this weekend,and see if anyone here in Vegas is selling the homeopathy. We used to be able to get a homeopathic formula for Echinacea up in Southeast Idaho.
We have to check for it here, we are limited in travel right now ,very much driving and TrekC' gets really worn down, So we stay mostly local.