Is a simple alternative to St.John's wort... St.John's wort, has fallen into
some disfavor due to the potential for drug interactions that it can cause with
other medications. Also some people get photosensitivity from this when out
in the sun.

here is an article on it:
http://www.healthbulletin.org/depres...epression2.htm
I would not attempt high doses as in the paper above without physician
supervision. However in this house, we all had substantially positive effects at 2 grams a day. (none of us are clinically depressed however). Very high doses have been used also for treating OCD.

I started inositol several months ago for insulin resistance (a recommendation from a weight loss specialist Dr. Rima Kittley who has it on her website,
www.obesitysanswer.com )

It has done wonders for anxiety for my husband and son and had some small effect on my mood too (from chronic pain).

It requires a substantial dose daily, at least 2 grams. And if you have ever had a mania episode, I would use it only with doctor's supervision. It also counteracts lithium treatments. So a balance in its use must be figured out by your doctor, in those events.

But for uncomplicated minor mood issues, it is a very easy intervention.
If you buy the pharmaceutical grade powder online a www.iherb.com it is also very inexpensive. My son was able to go to an amusement park for the first time this spring and ride a roller coaster..he was never able to go on them prior to using inositol.

The powder has no taste and mixes easily in juice..so it is very easy to take.

There are many new papers on inositol on PubMed and Google.