(U-WIRE) MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Although not commonly the first choice to remedy an illness, some people use herbal supplements to replace the normal prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Rhonda Janke, associate professor of horticulture at Kansas State University, said she uses a variety of herbs. She is currently traveling through Uruguay and Paraguay to learn more about herb use.

"Yes, they work, and I brought my two favorites with me on the trip," Janke said.

She took echinacea tincture for immune-system support, passion flower tincture to help falling asleep and garlic in case of a sore throat or other virus with her on her trip.

"At home, I keep elderberry juice in the fridge, also for anti-virus support," she said.

Janke said she grows many of her own herbs.

"I grow the herbs and use them personally, but I don't do research on their effectiveness" she said.

In fact, there has not been much research done on herbal supplements, and they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, said Jeff Dumler, staff pharmacist with Lafene Health Center.

"They aren't standardized. You don't know what you are getting for sure," he said.

There aren't many patents for herbal medicines, so there hasn't been much research done on them, Dumler said.

"Most the information they have is testimonial, kind of like weight loss commercials," he said.

Prescription drugs have roots in herbs, Dumler said.

"A lot of prescription drugs have their basis with herbs," he said. "They look at herbs or plants and derive active ingredients from them."

Pharmacies in the area don't carry many herbal supplements, but herbal stores and bigger stores have them. One place that carries herbal medication is Dillons.

Su-Ella McKinzie, director of advertising and public relations with Dillons, said the stores carry supplements in the health and beauty section.

Some popular medicines are St. Johns Wort, which is a popular medication for depression, and Echinacea, McKinzie said.

"We carry a lot of Natures Resource products," she said.

The number of people who purchase these products doesn't fluctuate much, she said.

"Right now we don't see any movement in herbal medications," McKinzie said. "There are times when sales may rise, but all-in-all it stays about the same."

Gene Capocasale, head pharmacist at Kmart, said certain herbal medications sell better at certain times.

"It's very faddish," he said. "There's constantly some new thing that people are asking about."

Herbal medicines can be effective, but there are some things to look for, Capocasale said.

"When you hear it's expensive, you should look the other way," he said.

Dianna Schalles, registered dietitian at Lafene, said herbal supplements could possibly interfere with other medicines a person is taking.

"You should consult your physician," she said. "A person should not take prescription medications without telling the physician what herbs they are taking."

Some dangers arise when people self-diagnose, Schalles said.

"On many herbs, more long-term research needs to be done," she said. "People are flirting with potential health problems if they are trying to self-medicate."

From healthy.net