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Digging into herbals Get the scoop on these five natural remedies by Meredith McCardle Just when you thought you'd grown out of every fad imaginable, along comes one worth delving into: herbal supplements. A natural way for 20-somethings to get to the root of their ailments, herbals have mounted in popularity in the '90s. While their benefits still are being tested, herbs already are supplementing and sometimes replacing traditional Western remedies for treating common ailments. Here are five and the benefits they offer: Echinacea for Immunity You're sitting in class, feeling healthy as ever. You realize the person on your left is coughing up a lung. The person on your right can't stop sneezing. It dawns on you, that you're next. The first thing you do is change seats. The next thing you do is rush out to buy echinacea. Echinacea has become one of the most popular herbs on the market because of its claims that it can prevent or shorten the duration of colds. It's in "one of the top ten, in terms of popularity," says Randy Hatton, a clinical professor at UF and co-director of the Drug Information and Pharmacy Resource Center. However, Hatton says no one can guarantee echinacea actually will work. "There are conflicting results in scientific literature as to whether it actually does what it is supposed to do," he says. "However, it's not clear cut that it doesn't work." Echinacea use does have its downsides. The herb shouldn't be taken for a long period of time because of possible liver damage. It only should be used for less than two weeks. Also, anyone with an immune system disorder, such as HIV or multiple sclerosis should not take echinacea. Ginseng for Energy You have a huge project due tomorrow, but you forgot to start it until the night before. You know you need something to keep you awake and give you energy to get the creative juices flowing without caffeine's harshness. You pop a few ginseng pills, and soon you're prepared to pull an all-nighter. Ginseng stimulates alertness and concentration and boosts energy. Several different types of ginseng are available. Siberian ginseng is formulated particularly for females, says Emberly Godwin, a Gainesville herbalist. The best formula for men is Korean, because it has a stronger dose. "When I'm feeling worn out, it helps with my energy level," says April Holt, a UF freshman and avid herbal supplement user. "I like to get it in smoothies. I can definitely tell the difference when I get it and when I don't." Some things must be considered when taking ginseng. Hatton said people with high blood pressure should steer clear of it. Also, anyone with diabetes, hyperdisorders or anyone taking steroids should avoid ginseng. St. Johns Wort for Antidepression You failed your history test, which brings your average down to a whopping 68. You got fired from your job, which means you have no money to do important things like going to clubs. Your fish just died. You loved that fish. Generally speaking, you're pretty bummed out and in need of a pick-me-up. You try St. Johns Wort, because you heard it can help battle mild depression. St. John's Wort is extremely popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, where it is used to treat anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. In one European study, about half the people who took the herb improved from mild depression. Hatton says it is important to realize the differences between Europe and the U.S. in terms of defining depression. In Europe, the symptoms of depression are assumed to be much milder. Godwin agrees with Hatton that St. Johns Wort can help with depression and anxiety and also can act as a mood enhancer, but said it takes about three weeks for the herb to start working. She also says a side effect of the herb is possible hypersensitivity to the sun, although Hatton disagrees on the severity of this effect. Kava Kava for Stress Relief It's Monday morning. You make a list of everything you have to do this week: Tuesday, an economics test and an English paper; Wednesday, a chemistry lab report; Thursday, a speech and a history paper; and Friday, a sociology test. If that isn't enough, your mom calls to tell you that she, your dad, grandparents and little brother are coming to visit this weekend, and they all want to stay with you. Instead of just breaking down, you try Kava Kava. Godwin swears by Kava. "It's more in the head," she says. "It calms you down, it slows you down. It helps with the stresses of the mind because it lets you process more slowly and concentrate." Like most other supplements, not many tests have been done on Kava, but it appears to relieve some of the stress and anxiety caused by everyday life. Some other things to consider while taking Kava: The National Nutritional Foods Association cautions that people under 18 years old, pregnant, nursing or operating heavy machinery should not take Kava because it can cause drowsiness. Also, the herb can increase the effects of alcohol, so avoid consuming alcohol while taking this supplement. Hatton says that in other countries, particularly Australia, it has "abuse potential," and governments have controlled its use. Ginger Root for Nausea Relief You're psyched about spring break. You booked a cruise to the Bahamas months ago and saved up tons of spending money. But even the bathtub makes you seasick. Not wanting to spend your cruise hunched over a toilet in your cabin, you start taking ginger root. "Historically, it has been well-documented that (ginger) is useful in preventing nausea," says Kara Dinda, educational project coordinator of the American Botanical Council. For years, people have used ginger as a way to prevent motion sickness, but only recently this has become a well-known fact. The potential downsides: ginger can interfere with cardiac or diabetic therapy. If undergoing either, avoid taking ginger. Another effect is heartburn. Now that you know which herbs you can take to help with certain problems, which brand should you buy? Dinda says the most important thing a consumer can look for is a supplement label, an FDA must-have since March 23, 1999. Also, consumers should make sure the full, scientific plant name is on the bottle to help ensure you get a pure product. Make sure the company provides information on how to reach them, in case you need to ask a question or have problems with their product. Basically, the bottom line is to "educate yourself as much as possible, and be conscious of what goes into your body, because the more you know, the better a product you can pick," Dinda says.

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