Originally Posted by
PinnacleFO
I know that taking anti deppressents is not allowed but what does the FAA say about herbs like SAM - E and St. Johns Wort? Also, would these show up on a drug test at all as something bad?
I have a friend that wants to be a commercial pilot and is trying the herbal method rather than prescription drugs. I told him to so some studying up on it but I figured i would ask on here to see if anyone knew.
St. John's Wort is an OTC supplement, not a medication I think. Unless formally prescribed by a Dr., you would not have to report it I believe.
Many cases of mild depression can be handled without medical intervention by diet (lay off the booze!), exercise, stress management, and stuff like St. Johns. It is VERY common for pilots to deal with this on their own, since the alternative is unemployment.
If your friend hasn't already polluted his official medical record with this stuff, he may want to carefully consider his career before he does so.