Hm, I've never actually heard of these particular stomach and constipation symptoms being mentioned with St. John's Wort use before.

However, I have heard that exposure to sun with St. John's Wort is not always a good idea. It can cause skin discoloration and make the eyes more light sensitive. I'd have to research more though.

I wonder if it's your body's way of telling you that's enough for now and to take a break, or maybe you could have some underlying condition that is causing your stomach issues with St. John's Wort. What is the dosage on the supplement (in milligrams or whatever)? Have you ruled everything else out that could be causing your stomach issues?

If one is taking St. John's Wort for depression, I would recommend considering 5-htp, or mentioning it to your health practitioner. I use it, and it works for depression, anxiety and insomnia. I also take Calm's Forte (which you can search online) and/or passionflower tea. I find this actually works better for me than St. John's Wort (which was making my eyes very light sensitive). Good luck and health to you!

I know that St. John's Wort does not like "playing" with chemical medicines or even chemicals in food - one of the biggest examples is rendering birth control pills nearly useless (though not reversing the damage done by them that I know of).

However, I don't know about any interactions when mixing with other herbs or natural foods, etcetera. But it sounds like for whatever reason you want to get gentle, emollient/demulcent and nutritive herbs to clear what you are experiencing. Rings under eyes are almost always attributed to kidneys - and constipation is self-explanatory. I like the oatstraw suggestion here. I also like comfrey and alfalfa. Parsley is good for helping kidneys. If St. John's Wort works for depression, that is great but if it doesn't you might need different herbs. My friends use Kava Kava when St. John's Wort didn't work for them - apparently, it was a different energetic issue. Keep us posted OK?

i have the exact same reaction to it! i don't take it

Orange,

I've taken this info directly from an at home resource I keep around - The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines written by
Charles Fetrow Pharm. D. & Juan Avila, Pharm. D.

Taking St Johns with any of these things could result in an adverse reaction:

* Alcohol and other drugs which slow the nervous system such as cold and allergy drugs, flu meds, decongestants & narcotic pain relievers
* Amphetamines
* Antidepressants called MAO Inhibitors
* " " called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
* Desyrel
* Tricyclic antidepressants
* Avoid foods & bevs that contain "tyramine", such as Chianti Wine, beer, aged cheese, chicken livers, chocolate, bananas & meat tenderizers. Also avoid sun exposure.

St Johns Wort is also an Immunosuppresant

In another book I own called "Herb Contraindications & Drug Interactions" by Francis Brinker N.D. there are 3-4 pages chock FULL of interactions on St Jonhs. It really doesn't work well with any other med and I'd imagine that it also effects the absorption of any vitamins / supplements you take. It seems to interfere with everything. So I'd only recommend it if you're on a water and air diet!

If you're coming up on menopause or after it, Black Cohosh has clinical information about improving depressive mood and hot flashes while also being a much better source of estrogen than traditional meds. Also, the Triterpenoid Saponins in Ginseng have been shown to improve depression as well as a host of other things without having many adverse effects. It's also an Adaptogen. However, ginseng is one of those supplements that is very hard to standardize. The root is actually very expensive because it is slow growing (takes 6 years to create a marketable product from a root) so what you are finding on the local vitamin stands is often mislabelled and simply adulterated. Side effects have been reported mostly in the form of Insomnia and less frequently diarrhea & skin eruptions. The best grades of Ginseng is Korean Red. Of one study conducted on commercial Ginseng, 60% was worthless Ginseng w/ no medicinal quality & 25% had NO Ginseng in it whatsoever. If you can find the real thing, it's a wonderful aid in many many ways. So far it seems long term use has no serious side effects. The jury is still out on many herbs in that department however.

Excersize is another extremely important component useful for treating depression. Actually, it's probably the MOST useful tool to have.

Good Luck!

I am unaware of St. John's Wort on its own (or mixed with other herbs) having what I would call "reactions" hehehe!

However, there are many counter-interactions with St. John's Wort and chemical drugs, be they over-the-counter or prescription. This plant does not play well with man-made stuff at all! One of the most common is the rendering of birth control pills as useless.

Is this an issue for you? Are you using things (even eating foods) that are mostly chemicals? If so, that could be the issue, and you may wish to either eliminate the chemicals, or try another herb that will not interact (my suggestion is to eliminate chemicals if possible though!)