Customer Reviews

St. John's Wort: The Herbal Way to Feeling Good

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This book is a much needed INFO booster for people suffering with depression, as well as for individuals interested in herbal medicine. Plus it's an interesting read! Ambitiously researched and creatively presented, Dr. Rosenthal has a talent for drawing from sources such as classic literature, music, poetry, medical research, and philosophy, to pen interesting highlights throughout the book. In this remarkably comprehensive book, the history, mythology, past and current medical research, case studies, experience of physicians, and even the politics of St. John's Wort are smoothly chronicled. The reader is also given crucial information on the self-monitoring of mood, the diagnosis of depression, and specifics on how to use St. Johns Wort and when to consult with a physician. The appendix includes helpful logs that the reader can use to monitor their daily mood and sleep. A special bonus is the chapter on how to develop an anti-depressant lifestyle by making simple behavioral and environmental changes. St. John's Wort: The Herbal Way to Feeling Good, is an important, timely, and superbly written book. Thanks Dr. Rosenthal, we needed that!

I strongly recomend this book for anyone who suffers from depression or thinks they may be experienceing any form of deppression even if you are not considering St.John' wort as treatment. The book contains a wealth of information about symptoms and degrees or depression, things the doctors and terapists don't tell you.

Dr. Rosenthal is the undisputed king of St. John's Wort. He was a pioneer on the effectiveness of this herb and worked at the National Institute of Mental Health at the National Institutes of Health. This is a classic. I just wish he'd update it, as it does not include some of the newer types of St. John's Wort. He, however, sticks by the brand he recommends. His information is credible and you trustworthy. When you're trying to make decisions about whether to use alternative therapies, that's what you need. That and current information, which is why I wish he's update it so it can be the undisputed latest word from the undisputed king.

Ok, so I'll admit..I have not read this book. That said, I have been taking St. Johns Wort now for about three months and it's so AWESOME! I am a huge advocate of herbal remedies and have been for years. However, for some weird reason I never tried SJW for my severe depression and wretched PMS symptoms. Did I say they were severe and wretched?! JUST AWFUL barely scratches the surface! I've had them for years and years and it was really taking a huge toll on my parenting and my marriage. I mean this truly. It was just so awful. I refused to go on prozac or one of those prescription anti depressants because of their weird side effects they seem to have had on EVERYONE i've known that has gone on them ( like really bad mood swings till they take their "drugs"!) and decided to tried SJW. I went to my local co-op and bought loose SJW and some blank capsules. All totalled about $3.00! The herbs I bought have been enough to last probably 5 months ( I bought about 1 1/2 ounces ) I fill my own capsules and do not pay those terribly high prices at the stores for already prefilled capsules.
I take on average about 3 - 4 per day. And I've been amazingly calm and have absolutely no spiked mood swings or depression. It's been so cool!!!
I suffered with PMS and depression I'd guess about 20 years or more, so this has been wonderful.
The other cool thing I've noticed is if I forget and skip for a few days, I'm still fine, unlike the incidences I've seen friends on who have missed or skipped their one prozac dose! Much beyond that I do need to take them again however. No biggie, I take another dose and I'm good to go.

For anyone whos considering going on a prescription anti depressant, I say go for the SJW first & try it for two weeks. I think, nay guarantee, you'll be so amazed with the results.
It's truly been a life saver for me.
peace to you,
A very happy!!!!!
Green mountain gal!