Could Japanese Knotweed be causing depression?

I’ve been taking one of Woodland Essence’s Japanese Knotweed Plus tinctures.

It’s a mix—Japanese knotweed, cats claw, and a few others.

Anyway, been feeling low when I take it—wondering if Japanese Knotweed could be causing this. Or any of the other ingredients, but I think Japanese Knotweed is the foremost ingredient in this tincture.

I’ve heard it has some estrogenic effects—but I’m a guy so idk if that would have any major impact on me affecting mood for that reason.

Also wondering if a Herx could cause low moods.

If anyone else has felt depressed on JK or Cats Claw, let me know.

Thanks.

we are all different -so we cant rule out an individual effect in one person that doesn't happen in others - but for what its worth

i have been taking japanese knotweed as powder in high doses (20 to 30g per day ) and now as tincture at 24ml per day for several years and do not detect any depressive type effects from it

the ingredients list is given as
Contains:
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum),
Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa),
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis),
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosis) and
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

i have been taking the others for almost as long as knotweed - and again no depressive effects for me

eleuthero is definitely energy and mood enhancing if anything for me

i havnt heard of others having depressive type effects from any of these

however mood issues like depression etc are extremely common in people with lyme and co infections - effecting the majority of patients in some form or another
and for some people these issues can often follow a kind of daily or monthly pattern, in time with their daily or monthly rhythms - so for instance being much stronger in the morning - and as a result it can be very difficult indeed to tease apart - what is caused by something you are taking - and what is just occurring due to the illness.

what makes this even more confusing - is that once we even start to suspect that some symptom might be linked to something we are taking - the effects of unconscious confirmation bias creep in and we tend to focus on signs that might confirm our suspicions - while taking less notice of things that might indicate another explanation.
remember - associations can happen by mere chance and do not on their own indicate causation.

the only way to get better evidence for what is really causing what is to run controlled trials
eg making careful measurements for a while - then stopping the suspected item and continuing to measure - and probably repeating a few times to be sure - as a single event of associated timing could still occur purely by chance with things like this

i keep a detailed daily log of what i'm taking and any changes in symptoms for this reason.
it seems almost obsessive - and its quite a bit of work - but has helped me figure out what is causing what so many times its been well worth it, especially when you are trying to self-treat - so you have little else to guide your treatment.

Licorice and eleuthero are adaptogens, and as such can have opposite effects on some people from what's intended. Adaptogens are said to balance adrenal hormones, help with stress and anxiety, elevate mood and energy, and help with sleep. But sometimes an adaptogen that chills one person out will make another person feel panicky, so it's good to start adaptogens "low and slow." Most people feel a mood and energy boost from eleuthero, but it made me sluggish and sleepy; in my early twenties, however, eleuthero gave me an energy boost. Licorice can raise blood pressure, in addition to its apoptogenic effects. My guess would be that one of these adaptogens is affecting you.

A herx would take time to build up and would not flare immediately after doses. An effect that wanes between doses or happens right after a dose or two is more likely to be an allergy, side effect, or mast cell activation syndrome reaction.

I hope you find some relief soon!

Interesting feedback. Thanks all. Mood has lifted for now. We’ll see how it goes

Without getting technical, I can simply tell you whe I took JN about 4 years ago, and in small amounts, depression went through the roof.

Maybe a herx reaction to it or caused stomach issues, which brought in gut-brain connection. Was better about a week after stopping.