Treating Depression with St. John's Wort

Many Americans are prone to episodes of depression, ranging from minor to severe. Most individuals tend to ignore the telltale symptoms while others make a conscious effort to "suck it up."

When I was growing up, one was not allowed to speak about any kind of mental problem. That meant that even the mildest depression had to be ignored "or else." So at a very young age, I learned how to internalize pain, anxiety, and sadness. I figured out how to put on my actress face at the drop of a hat and got quite good at it, which might well explain my success in little theater.

Even in today's modern world where we have been conditioned to accept the shortcomings of celebrities like Anne Heche, Paris Hilton, or Lindsay Lohan, we still often refuse our family members the right to express their own inner turmoil.

I admit that I have a lot of days that are not all bright and cheery. Not finding the type of work I want or need outside of the home has been difficult. My husband's heart attack, my mother's various illnesses, and my own illnesses have obviously added to my pressure and stress.

I am lucky, however, because I can generally keep my mild depression in check with St. John's Wort. This natural herb, which is native to Europe, is commonly prescribed in Germany and other European countries. Physicians over there have long believed that this yellow flowered plant helps to relieve the symptoms of depression which include:

- A feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness;
- Obvious agitation or anxiousness or the direct opposite - - being sluggish, slow in movement and speech;
- A difficulty in sleeping or sleeping too much;
- Loss of interest in people, places, and things;
- Appetite changes resulting in severe weight loss or gain;
- Loss of energy resulting in exhaustion even doing simple tasks;
- Irritability that results in snapping at people, being deliberately defensive or prone to angry outbursts;
- Memory and concentration problems;
- Inability to make decisions or to cope with simple problems;
- Self-loathing to the point of being suicidal; and
- Increased physical problems like headaches, stomach pains, bowel problems, etc.