St. John's Wort for depression. Anything else?

My daughter is SLOWLY getting better. She's been in treatment for over a year and is on IV antibiotics now and herbs. She's 23.

She's still dealing with some anxiety and depression, won't go out, and her LLMD prescribed a mild antidepressant, which she tried and hated.

We've always used homeopathy and herbs with our kids, so she's willing to take a natural antidepressant. I've used St. John's Wort in the past and it's been great, and I'm hoping she will respond like I did.

But, I read somewhere that St. John's Wort can interfere with certain antibiotics. I can't find the information now, and I'm afraid to give it to her in case it interferes with her treatment. I plan to clear this with the LLMD first, but I want to bring him some literature so he can look over it.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Are there other herbs she can use that are safe for Lyme patients in treatment?

Thanks in advance.

I'll start of with the caveat that I'm new to this (was only diagnosed last year, although was sick for over 20 years before this) and by no means knowledgeable....I've been taking 5HTP successfully, both during abx treatment and now using a strictly herbal protocol. My LLMD and LLND did not have concerns. I can't tolerate SSRI antidepressants, but found a good quality brand of 5HTP is helping considerably with my mood and anxiety levels (especially mood). Of course, checking with the LLMD is essential, as there may be a contraindication for the abx your daughter is on.

I hope you find something that is effective and tolerable--it can't be easy for your daughter or you. I wish you the best of luck finding something helpful!

PeteZa, thanks you for those suggestions. The Avena Sativa sounds good to me.

Surely something made from oats won't interfere with treatment! I know ... it's all chemistry in the end so it could. I'll do some further reading.

Thanks bluelyme. I've never heard of mucuna bean extract.

OK, just did some quick reading. It sounds good too. I'll look into contraindications, all of that. I like the fact it's ayurvedic, longstanding.

St. John's Wort has been used for many centuries too, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

So much researching ...

I see a naturopath, so I can't recommend specific doses for your needs/age, but to get me off antidepressants I took very high quality (read: expensive but trusted):
Omega 3 fish oil, 3000 mg (EPA and DHA -little to no filler or "other")
Vitamin D3, 5000 mg
5-HTP complex (with B vitamins)
all kinds of B vitamins
GABA complex
cut gluten, dairy, and sugar in stages to the best of my ability
tested and treated adrenals, thyroid, and sex hormones.

Please note that this was not implemented all at once. I highly recommend you see a professional before self-treating; although dietary changes, Vitamin D, Omega 3, and Vitamin B, I imagine are all safe places to start on your own.

I will point out that my depression is still messing with me because Lyme does that. I don't know that while you're sick and incapacitated you can ever fully get depression out of the way. Treating Lyme and Co. will also help.

P.S. For what it's worth, my most trusted brands are Thorne Research and Designs for Health - these are recommended by my ND and only available through a practitioner or online. Too often when I try Walmart or GNC, I end up with expensive junk. But if you don't have a pro telling you what your body needs, I can't recommend you spend money on the good ones either. (LOL, listen to me, I'm a walking disclaimer! Naturopathic medicine has helped me so much, but its so important you get everything tested and approved or you risk damage. But I couldn't afford any of this before I got married, so I know what it's like to be stuck)

You would still have to check these all out to be sure they won't interfere with any abx that someone is taking, but Buhner recommends these herbs for depression:
(core protocol, plus)
Eleuthero (1:1 formulation, 1/4 - 1/2 tsp 3 times daily) and/or
Melatonin (3 - 9 mg a day) and/or
Mucuna pruiens {velvet bean} (500 mgs 1x daily in morning) and/or
Leonurus cardiaca {motherwort} (fresh plant tincture, 1/4 tsp as often as needed) and/or
Corallorhiza maculata{Summer coralroot/spotted coral root} 1/2 tsp - 1 tsp up to 6 times daily) and/or
SAMe (200 mgs 1 - 2 times daily) and/or
Tryptophan (1,000 - 1500 mgs 3 times daily)
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) {if it's legal in your state} powder, 1/2 tsp mixed in warm water, 1 - 3 times daily) - may cause jitteriness.