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Skepticism, Science & Pseudoscience

Odin2005

(53,521 posts) Mon Apr 16, 2012, 02:35 AM Apr 2012

Note to woo-woos, St. Johns Wort is just another SSRI! [View all]

I picked up a wonderful book from the thrift store I work at on herbal medicines written by a toxicologist who talks about the active compounds in the herbs and legitimate scientific studies involving the herbs and their side effects. No woo about the wisdom of nature and similar crap, just science.

I was floored when he says that the active compound in St. John's Wort functions just like any other SSRI, and it has the exact same side effects as Prozac.

14 replies

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Note to woo-woos, St. Johns Wort is just another SSRI! [View all] Odin2005 Apr 2012 OP

Yep frankie May 2012 #1

And they got a heart medication from foxglove. Odin2005 May 2012 #2

digitalis is the drug name Rainforestgoddess May 2012 #3

Only 22 posts in 4 years! EvolveOrConvolve May 2012 #4

I'm afraid if I start Rainforestgoddess May 2012 #5

Side effects are probably worse Confusious May 2012 #6

And what a list of side effects it has! laconicsax May 2012 #7

The list of "possible side effects" of my Paxil are similar. Odin2005 May 2012 #8

But Paxil is an evul drug made by PHARMA!!! laconicsax May 2012 #9

WOW! My experience with St. John's Wort and the side effects lab rat117 Jul 2014 #10

Thank you for sharing your experience emsimon33 Jul 2014 #12

Yes. Research shows that St Johns Wort is often effective for moderate depression; also that it does LeftishBrit Jul 2014 #11

See the book "Wicked Plants" for some of the nasty ones... uriel1972 Aug 2014 #13

But nature GOOD! Silent3 Aug 2014 #14