Individuals who are persistently sad, anxious or experience an empty mood with feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities including sex, are candidates for treatment of depression. Depression also can include insomnia, or the opposite – excessive sleeping, agitation, decreased energy, fatigue or a sense of going through life in slow motion. They may also experience low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt. They may experience difficulty in concentrating or remembering and making decisions. Severe cases may have recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, contemplate a suicide attempt or have a specific suicide plan.

Typically doctors will prescribe a medication such as an SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), which includes Prozac. However, these types of drugs have common side effects which include nausea, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, sweating, tremors, short term memory loss and rashes. As if all of this weren’t bad enough, most antidepressants also reduce your sex drive. Studies that looked specifically at sexual dysfunction found that 30 – 40% of all men and women taking antidepressants suffered a drop in libido.

So, how can you effectively address depression with a natural antidepressant and without side effects? Here comes St. John’s Wort to the rescue.  For a fraction of the cost, this herb can be as effective as prescription antidepressants without the numerous side effects that often accompany the drugs.  Dozens of clinical studies have demonstrated St. John’s Wort remarkable ability to alleviate mild to moderate depression as well as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is depression brought on by the absence of sunlight. The proper dosage can be accomplished by taking a 900 mg tablet first thing in the morning.  Taking 1 tablet daily will provide significant, effective results for the next 24 hours. For those who are not depressed, St. John’s Wort can improve moods and act as the best blues buster while increasing sexual desire. Everyone can lead a happier life using St. John’s Wort.