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Almost 18 million people suffer from depression in the United States. Powerful antidepressant drugs are widely prescribed. Yet the bestselling remedy for depression in Germany, with more than 10 times the sales of Prozac and fewer side effects, isn't a drug--it's a shrub: St. John's wort, or
Hypericum perforatum.
St. John's Wort: The Herbal Way to Feeling Good is a comprehensive, reader-friendly guide to assessing whether St. John's wort is right for you, and what you need to know about depression, conventional antidepressants, and this herb to manage your condition effectively.
Rosenthal is a National Institutes of Mental Health researcher and psychiatrist who conveys a great deal of information simply and interestingly. He relates success stories of clients who have benefited from St. John's wort, discusses the research, helps you diagnose and understand your depression, and shows you how to create a personalized plan for using the herb. He also recommends leading an "antidepressant lifestyle" through stress management, exercise, social support, sleep, and adequate light. A history of the herb ("from ancient remedy to herbal superstar") chronicles its 2,000 years of use. This is a must-read book if you or a loved one suffers from depression. (Rosenthal stresses that the herb and his program are not substitutes for medical care, and that anyone suffering from severe depression should seek medical help.) --Joan Price
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
The fuzzy subtitle doesn't do justice to this comprehensive and authoritative work on depression and the alleviating effects of treatment with St. John's wort. Rosenthal (Winter Blues, 1993), an expert on depression who has appeared frequently in the media, describes how the herb St. John's wort (SJW), known since ancient times and available without a prescription, "may emerge as one of the most popular, effective and safest antidepressants." Part I features SJW "success stories," anecdotal reports of the herb's role in successfully reducing symptoms of such conditions as subsyndromal depression, PMS and anxiety disorder. Part II gets down to the nitty-gritty: how to diagnose one's depression; involve (or get rid of) a doctor in treatment; and develop "an antidepressant lifestyle." The history of the herb's use and reputation and its current scientific, government and economic status are considered in Part III. Rosenthal evenhandedly details what research has and has not been proven about SJW, and offers notably clear explanations of depressive disorders and pharmacology. Although he advocates appropriate use of SJW, Rosenthal repeatedly points out that those suffering severe depression should seek immediate professional help. (Aug.) FYI: HarperCollins will release an audio of this title simultaneously ($12, ISBN 0-694-51958-8).
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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