Perika (St. John's Wort) Nature's Way 60 Tabs (Packaging May vary)

This seems to be the best formulation of St. John's Wort (SJW) I could easily find in the United States. SJW is routinely used as a *prescription* medication in Germany, but because it is a prescription there, its production is also well-regulated. So when you buy it SJW in Germany, you actually get SJW. In the US, there is no FDA regulation of SJW as a "herbal supplement", so you have little idea of what you're getting. There's a consumer labs article that highlights this. Some of the best data for SJW in general is summarized in a Cochrane Review article from 2008 (Listed in the NIH Pubmed site - Pubmed ID#18843608 - can get full-text article for free if follow links). The most studied preparations used for these scientific trials were "LI 160" and "WS 5570/5572". These higher dose preparations (2-3% hyperforin instead of the 0.1-3% hyperforin often available in the US) are the ones actually shown to be effective. This Perika product is a WS 5570 preparation, and so that gives me at least some confidence it is an effective SJW product - although it's still not regulated here. Keep in mind, just because this is an effective SJW preparation, does not mean SJW itself is the right thing for you. It is the same as trying a prescription SSRI or other antidepressant - maybe it will work for you, maybe it won't. SJW is a real pharmaceutical, and as such it can interact with other medications in dangerous ways, so be very cautious if you take any other medications simultaneously. Get advice from a trusted source - whether that's an M.D., an alternative medicine practitioner, a licensed therapist or a good friend. When you're in a bad spot, it's okay to ask for help. You deserve to feel good!

When I was struggling the most with severe depression, panic, and PTSD, I was skeptical about meds but tried using St John's Wort because it was recommended by a friend. To my great surprise it took the edge off, even if just a little. I started to take like 6 or 7 of these a day until I realized that I was ready for real prescription meds, and here I am, 5 years later, in recovery and doing really well. I never would have sought medical help without this St John's Wort, and if you're skeptical like I was about the prescription stuff, it's worth every penny to try it out. (It can't take care of or fix moderate or severe problems, but it helps a little, trust me.)

1. Upset my stomach. Not just mildly, but substantially. 2. First dose, taken late in day, caused me to sleep about six hours without moving (I happened to remember the exact position I was in when I went to sleep). Not normal! I awoke with extremely stiff neck. 3. Worst effect was that it caused sharp pains in bladder. This might not apply to everyone, but if you are an IC patient beware. My first dose was my last!

It might have worked a bit for my depression, which wasn't severe or anything. I give it 3 stars because it did NOTHING for my anxiety and panic attacks. Since depression and anxiety go hand in hand, I thought it might have an effect with my anxiety disorder. It might work better for other people, that's just my experience.

It took about two weeks before I noticed a gradual change in my mood. It seems to be working well and there are no side effects as far as I can tell. I am taking only 1 tablet a day.

I started taking this mid-July. By September I could notice a positive difference. October was even more amazing! And now that November is almost over, I am a very pleased customer. My life is so much better with this stuff- depression has lifted and PMS is so much better! I can handle stress now that I have been taking this Perika regularly. I do take three a day. Sometimes I miss one but I can't say I notice. They are easy to swallow and they have been extremely effective. Years ago I tried an SSRI and stopped because I didn't like the side effects. I have no side effects on the Perika and it works just as well. You do need to be careful about drug interactions though. St. John's Wort will cause your liver to metabolize drugs at a different rate (often faster, sometimes slower from what I have read). This includes alcohol, perhaps that's why some use it to deter drinking.

I have been using Perika brand St John's wort for mild to moderate chronic depression for about 6 years. In that time, I've found Perika to be the most consistently effective brand, except for Wegman's store brand which you can only get if you shop at a Wegman's. Either of those is very good. I have personally not found any side effects and the cost is very low. I also caution that people should consult their doctor before starting a regimen of any drug, especially an antidepressant. I started using it at the suggestion of my doctor years ago. Of course different people will have different reactions to any drug (and St John's wort IS a drug) so be very attentive when you start to see how it affects you. I do find this effective. I take it three times a day with or without food.

I was excited to come back to this product after several years of not using it. Unfortunately, the product has changed: the pills look different, suggesting a different formulation or that the product wasn't the freshest, and the efficacy wasn't what it used to be.

I took pharma anti-anxieties before and quit one year ago. My symptoms have come back and I decided I didn't want the side effects (decreased libido) of the pharma pills and decided to try this one, as a natural remedy. It took 6 weeks to take full effect and it has exactly the same affect as the pharma pills I used to take, minus the side effects. My mind has rid itself of chatter. Negative thoughts have disappeared. I can walk away easily from an argument. I have become more forgiving and more loving. I am SO happy I made this change. I was stressed the 3rd week that it was a hoax, but it is not. My advice - give it 6 weeks. I only take 2 a day and happy with its effects. I think one will be too little and I do not see the need to add a 3rd dosis. Thank you for making this product.