Question:
Can St. John's Wort really curb appetitie and stop you from overeating?

I read a magazine article that suggested that St. John's Wort can help increase the serotoni in the brain, helping to reduce the cravings, and help the brain tell you when the stomach is full. I got permission from my doctor to try it. I was amazed at the first dose. I have continued to take it for the last 10 days. It worked great the first dose, now it seems to have lost it's ability to help me. Wondered if anyone else has had experience with St. John's Wort. It is a herbal supplement and has definitely helped my mood swings. Please don't try it without Dr.'s approval first. It doesn't mix well with some medications.    — june22 (posted on July 20, 2004)

July 19, 2004
I also tried it on my doc's OK. I actually gained a few pounds on it. SSRIs in general can cause weight gain, and St. John's functions as a mild SSRI. Didn't work for me, and I gave it the full month to kick in as required (I actually took it for about 6 months).
   — mom2jtx3

July 20, 2004
Well I was on Prozac and I think St. Johns Wort is the herbal equivalent and my appetite was never suppressed.
   — Whitney S.

July 20, 2004
I could be wrong but I'm thinking that St John's Wort is bad with certain kinds of medicines. Perhaps you would be wise to tell your doc you are taking it, just in case it is interacting with some of your current meds. (If you are taking meds now that is).
   — Danmark