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In a pill-popping culture, it seems common to reach for a bottle of capsules to cure common ailments such as headaches, insomnia, depression and pain.

But for mild illness, there are alternative treatments, many of which have been used for centuries before manufactured drugs existed.

For example, St. John’s Wort, a plant also known as Klamath Weed or Goat Weed, has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders and nerve pain.

“It has been found to be effective for mild to moderate depression,” said Dr. Ka Kit Hui, professor of clinical medicine at the UCLA Department of Medicine and director at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine.

Other alternative medicines include ginger, which is useful for nausea and vomiting, and ginkgo, which may improve memory and function of older patients.

Some students say they are open to trying the natural approach to health, as opposed to conventional pharmaceutical medicine.

“I usually drink echinacea and goldenseal tea and take Vitamins C and E when I start getting a sore throat,” said Tyler Lesh, a third-year clinical psychology graduate student.

“I rarely go to the doctor,” he added.

Jeremiah Garcia, a third-year art and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies student, said that when he gets sick, he turns to tea to help recover.

“Chamomile and mint tea leaves are good for digestion, and if I’m sick I try to drink eight cups of tea because the antioxidants help my immune system,” he said.

Some evidence indicates that taking garlic can slightly lower blood cholesterol levels and might slow the development of atherosclerosis, a condition that could lead to heart disease or stroke.

But alternative medicine is not solely useful to alleviate symptoms of minor illnesses. Some cancer patients seek alternative ways to alleviate symptoms other than modern medicine.

“I think it gives people a sense of self-empowerment when they can take things into their own hands. ... There are a lot of things, including Chinese medical approaches, that can be used to treat stress, nausea and pain,” said Dr. Rich Pietras, an associate professor of medicine at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.

“Some use acupuncture or meditation techniques to reduce stress and become more relaxed.”

Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda were developed thousands of years ago and are still used today.

Ayurveda, which includes diet and herbal remedies, has been practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years. Ayurveda emphasizes the use of body, mind and spirit in disease prevention and treatment, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

One of the traditional Ayurveda formulations contains herbs such as echinacea and turmeric, used to bolster the body’s natural defenses against allergens and infections.

Brahmi has been used in Ayurveda for centuries as the main revitalizing herb for nerves and brain cells.

“Brahmi can be a helpful aid for studying,” said Amit Khatri, a third-year electrical engineering student.

Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine include ginger, gingko biloba, green tea and licorice, Hui said.

Some evidence suggests that consumption of green tea improves mental alertness, most likely because of its caffeine content.

Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown mixed results, according to the center.

But Pietras said alternative medicine is not limited to teas and other herbal remedies.

“Other Chinese medical approaches treat a number of symptoms of cancer patients, including stress, nausea and pain. (Some) may use acupuncture and meditation techniques to reduce stress and become more relaxed,” Pietras said.

Some experts suggest alternative medicine may offer advantages that conventional medicine could lack.

“It depends on what condition you are using medication for,” Hui said. “Medications are, in general, more potent and could potentially cause more side effects.”

However, herbal supplements may interact with other medications or treatments and produce unexpected results, he warned.

Some patients who have used St. John’s Wort to fight depression have found increased amounts of enzymes in the liver, altering the levels of other drugs, Pietras said.

“Some patients ... have found that (oral) contraceptives no longer work, and (they) could become pregnant,” he added.