Herbal drug interactions

[XxXStevoXxX]

I just recently came off a pretty high dosage of Celexa a few weeks ago (the side effects were pretty brutal at times, especially the vertigo)I was going to try taking some kava kava, St. John's wort, and 5 HTP to try to stabilize my mood (can't hurt right?) anyways does anybody know if there are any harmful interactions between these drugs, and has anybody personally benefitted from taking any of these...erowid didn't offer much from what I saw, any suggestions would be helpful...thanks guys...

 

[Deus121]

The only drug interaction that would be dangerous (In my opinion, consult your doctor before combining anything) is the St. Johns Wort, a MAOI, and drugs like ecstasy. Becareful with St. Johns wort, it could interact with more than just Ecstasy.

 

[Kaleen Ann Sobar]

Taking 425 mgs of Kava Kava will do wonders to calm your nerves.

 

[evsid]

Originally posted by Deus121:
Becareful with St. Johns wort, it could interact with more than just Ecstasy.
You've got that right! Last year it was found that St Johns Wort also nullifieds the effects of many HIV medications. The more that ST Johns Wort is studied the more pernicious it becomes. One theory as to why some believe in its power to cure depression is that St Johns Wort makes your skin photosensative--in other words you tan easier. The herb was most popular in Northern Europe, the home of the pastyface, which explains a lot. It rains a whole lot in Northern Europe so getting a tan isn't so easy. With St Johns Wort you can get a nice blush going just from a cloudy day. The theory is that since people look a little better they feel a little better about themselves. Basically a nice tan perked up people suffering from the Blahs, not people suffering from clinical depression. There has never been any evidence or even any suggestion that St Johns Wort is effective in curing major depression.
Stay away from it--at best its a harmless way to get a tan, at worst it can badly interact with medication.