His prescription: Mix a dropperful of digestive bitters and a tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple-cider vinegar in a small glass of water and sip it with meals. These tinctures are a short-term remedy, Lipman notes. This can be as simple as avoiding food that disagrees with you. Tomatoes, hot spices, and wine are common culprits.

The absence of side effects is another good reason to try vinegar and bitters. For acute cases, however, magnesium citrate almost always gets things moving again.

A combination of magnesium and citric acid, the supplement relaxes your intestines and pulls water into them. Powders stirred into water are easy to use. Cut down the dose if stools become too loose. The anti-inflammatory properties of this meadow flower have been easing aches and pains since the Middle Ages.

Arnica is still used widely in Germany, where researchers have shown it to be an effective remedy for muscle aches, sprains, and joint pain and swelling.

Studies in the United States have found it as reliable as NSAIDs at relieving pain from osteoarthritis in the hands.

As we tackle the opioid epidemic, alternatives to pain management are increasingly needed in our medical arsenal. Arnica gels and creams are considered safe; a mild allergic rash is the only potential side effect. The remedy is also available in the form of sublingual homeopathic pills.

Turmeric has been used in curries as well as traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries. She prescribes a curcumin complex called Meriva and recommends taking mg twice daily.

It can be tough to get enough of a medicinal boost from incorporating turmeric into your daily diet, but you can still get some anti-inflammatory benefits from adding the root to curries and other dishes.

Those who suffer chronic joint pain may find substantial relief by avoiding gluten, dairy, and sugar, as well as making other dietary adjustments.

Essential fatty acids can also help. garlic for a variety of ills. Research shows that its antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties work wonders on mild ear infections. A pediatric study found that natural eardrops containing the herb mullein are just as effective as anesthetic drops for reducing pain.

For a child that is old enough, that is a better approach than antibiotics. To help prevent chronic earaches, avoid dairy, gluten, and sugar. Monitor vitamin-D levels, fatty-acid deficiencies, and stress levels — and be sure to keep some garlic mullein drops on hand. You might associate the smell of this herb with a fragrant backyard garden, but the anxiety and insomnia-relieving effects of lavender essential oil are potent and well-documented.

Research has found that it can help induce sleep and help people sleep more deeply. Sprinkle a couple of drops on a light bulb next to your bed while the bulb is still cool , or get an essential-oil diffuser for your bedroom. One of the best ways to chase bugs away is drinking fluids, especially warm ones, says Mark Hyman, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine.

Hyman recommends making soups and broths from scratch with fresh vegetables when you begin to feel sick. Also on his list: herbal teas with immunity-boosting ingredients such as ginger and echinacea. To prevent feeling run down in the first place, turn to the old standbys: eating well, getting enough sleep , and drinking plenty of water.

While mostly harmless, a cold packs a multi-symptom punch and lingers like an annoying house guest. Rest, whole foods, and plenty of fluids can help nudge a cold out the door , but here are some additional tips for relief from Mark Hyman, MD.

For thousands of years, people in India have used small neti pots filled with saltwater to rinse the nasal passages. Drugstore decongestants can raise blood pressure, and conventional nasal sprays may cause dependency, but saline rinsing has no major contraindications.

Hot tea or hot water with lemon and honey are almost always the ticket to instant relief from acute sore-throat pain. Certain herbs also have proven healing powers. Native Americans used the flowering echinacea plant for more than years as a general cure-all, and Hyman prescribes it for sore throats and other cold symptoms.

Echinacea is often best used in combination with other herbs, he says. Check with your physician to learn if any of your medications may be contraindicated by these herbs.

Saunas have been used for rituals, relaxation, and healing for millennia. A study found that taking a sauna twice weekly helps ward off pneumonia, and Austrian researchers discovered that people who take saunas regularly contract fewer colds. Just inhaling steamy air in the shower is beneficial.

Or try this at-home treatment: Fill a bowl with hot water, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, and drape a towel over your head as you lower it over the bowl. Then, keeping your eyes closed, breathe in the soothing vapors.

A good long snooze is the best medicine for nearly everything. Your email address will not be published. The growing threat of antibiotic resistance is leading some researchers and doctors to investigate the power of natural remedies.

Why not the shelves of your bathroom, too? All mints spread rampantly in a moist garden. Consider growing each plant in its own large pot. Harvest leaves just before flowering. Rosemary is the great reviver. This perennial woody herb stimulates energy and optimism and sharpens memory and concentration by bringing more oxygen to your brain.

A row of these long-lived and drought-tolerant plants makes a beautiful, bee-friendly evergreen hedge. You may only need one plant in your garden — a little goes a long way. The leaves are commonly added to cough formulas. Give this handsome and stately biennial plenty of space, and stand back in wonder.

The sturdy, yellow-flowered stem will emerge from within a rosette of thick, hairy leaves, reaching skyward nearly 6 feet. Many cultivars exist beyond the straight species, including sweet-tasting citrus varieties that are perfect tummy remedies for children.

Read more about the health benefits of thyme. Long recognized for its sweet perfume, lavender also boasts medical benefits as a mild antidepressant that may also benefit your nervous system, according to some studies.

Add lavender oil to your bath to alleviate stress , tension, and insomnia. Woody lavender plants prefer hot, sunny, and dry environments. The fresh flowers are tasty in small doses when added to salads , honey , butter , lemonade, and even shortbread cookies.

The NCCIH reports that chamomile is one of the best herbs for treating colic , nervous stress, infections, and stomach disorders in children. These easy-to-grow herbs bring health benefits to your garden as well as your family.

Many attract beneficial insects, including bees. They can also help repel harmful pests from more sensitive plants nearby. Be sure to choose plants that suit the light, water, and temperature conditions of your garden.

For example, rosemary, lavender, and mullein are best for warm, dry spots in full sun. Cilantro and mint prefer rich, moist areas with shade.

For additional tips, check out these gardening apps. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

For plant identification, garden planning, and planting things in season, check out these best gardening apps! Phosphatidylcholine is known to boost cognition, but its potential benefits don't stop there. Here's what you should know about this herbal remedy. Research suggests rhodiola and ashwagandha work well together, but you may want to take them at different times of day.

While research is still evolving, ashwagandha shows potential in addressing various aspects of fertility, including libido, hormone levels, and sexual…. Rhodiola is best known for its benefits with physical performance and endurance, less so for weight loss.

Rhodiola rosea may provide some early benefits within the first couple of weeks of use. Many studies show that taking ashwagandha daily can increase testosterone, but there isn't a clinical agreement on dosage. Let's look deeper. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Homegrown Herbal Remedies. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Calendula Cilantro Lemon balm Peppermint Rosemary Mullein Thyme Lavender German chamomile Herbal garden allies Homegrown herbal remedies.

Calendula Calendula officinalis. Share on Pinterest. Cilantro Coriandrum sativum. Lemon balm Melissa officinalis. Peppermint Mentha x piperita. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis. Mullein Verbascum thapsus.

Doctor Says: "This type of molasses is a wonderful stool softener. Take 1 Tbsp daily on its own or stir it into water or any beverage. It's especially useful for pregnant women because it's a more natural alternative than chemical laxatives , plus it contains iron and many other essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, magnesium, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, and selenium.

Doctor Says: "Honey helps speed the healing of cuts , burns, and other wounds because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It's rich in gallic acid and the antioxidant quercetin, which both help with healing. I recommend washing the area and massaging a small amount of honey directly onto a cut.

Then cover with an adhesive bandage. Doctor Says: "Dry scalp can be caused by a loss of moisture or a buildup of styling products. The flakes from dry scalp are finer than those from dandruff. To use EVOO for dry scalp, warm about 5 Tbsp, cool slightly, then massage into the scalp. Comb through, then cover with a towel or shower cap and leave on for 20 to 40 minutes or overnight.

Repeat as needed. Doctor Says: "Peppermint essential oil can be applied to the temples to relieve tension headaches. You can make your own by putting five drops of peppermint essential oil in 1 oz of a carrier oil, such as almond or grapeseed.

Shake well and store in a small glass jar. When you feel a headache coming on, massage a few drops of the oil into your temples. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Repeat in 20 to 30 minutes if needed.

Keep the oil away from the eye area, and don't use it on children under 6. MORE: 16 Highly Effective Migraine Solutions. Doctor Says: "Eating as few as six cherries a day can prevent a recurrence of gout. No one knows why or how it works, but I've seen success often enough to be a believer and to recommend it for people who get gout attacks with any frequency, particularly if they're wary of daily prescription medicine.

This is an Ayurvedic remedy that helps improve digestion and sleep and decrease palpitations, hot flashes, worry, and anxiety. Doctor Says: "Oregano is a concentrated source of antioxidants, which help to reduce inflammation and soothe the stomach.

To use it, [buy ready-made oregano tea or] steep 1 to 2 tsp of fresh or dried oregano in 8 oz hot water for approximately 10 minutes. The recommended dosage is up to three times daily.

Doctor Says: "Resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, is Mother Nature's miracle drug that seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect and can help protect you from cancer, heart disease, and more. Have one or two servings of grapes—which have the phytonutrient-rich skin—or one serving of red wine every day to prevent chronic disease.

Doctor Says: "Sauerkraut is a rich source of probiotics , which can help heal many gut woes. While cabbage can aggravate IBS in some people, sauerkraut, because it's fermented, can actually improve gas, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. Look for packages that say 'raw' with 'live cultures.

Doctor Says: "Epsom salts can soothe basically anything that itches or burns the skin, such as mosquito bites, bee stings, and poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Soak for at least 12 minutes in a bath made by dissolving 2 cups of salts in running water.

Or make a compress by soaking a cotton washcloth in a cup of cold water mixed with 2 Tbsp of Epsom salts, and apply it to the itchy area. Doctor Says: "Studies show the equivalent of 15 mg—or about one-tenth of a teaspoon of threads—of saffron twice daily can decrease PMS symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, and insomnia.

Add saffron to your food, take it in capsule form, or brew a cup of tea. MORE: 7 Surprising Things Your First Period Says About You. Doctor Says: " Toenail fungus is an infection inside the nail. The compounds in tea tree oil are a safe, effective way to treat the problem.

Doctor Says: "Nuts contain protein and minerals important for tooth health. Some, like almonds, contain calcium, which can help strengthen and protect teeth. Topical products for soreness and skin irritation Arnica cream — sooths muscle aches, pains and bruising.

Tea tree oil — an anti-inflammatory agent for bacterial or fungus infections. Calendula — soothes skin irritations like eczema and diaper rash.

Natural remedies for sleep Tea — try chamomile tea in the evening as you are winding down. Lavender — an aromatherapy oil used for calming and relaxation.

Safe for both young children and older adults. Natural remedies for anxiety Set aside five minutes before starting your day for slow, deep breathing.

Think about the day ahead, what you are grateful for and the people in your life On the way to school, teach your kids to use breathing exercises to help them prepare for the day ahead.

Slow down breathing by inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six seconds. This activates the part of the nervous system that calms us. Choose calming music to listen to on your way to and from work or school. Spend a few minutes after work to prepare for the transition home. Side effects may include bloating, gas, heartburn, and nausea.

Ginkgo leaf extract is used for asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus. It is used to improve memory and to help prevent dementia. Some studies have shown it may work slightly.

But how gingko works isn't fully known. Only extract from leaves should be used. Seeds have ginkgo toxin. This toxin can cause seizures. In large amounts, it can lead to death.

Ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding. Do not use it with NSAID medicines or other medicines that thin the blood. Do not use it with anticonvulsant medicines, or tricyclic antidepressants.

Ginseng is thought to boost energy, sex drive, and balance the body. Research is still unsure about its benefits. Side effects can include high blood pressure and fast heart rate.

It's safe according to the FDA, but avoid it with certain medicines. People with diabetes should not use ginseng. Goldenseal can help with diarrhea. It can help with eye and skin irritation. It can act as an antiseptic. Use it carefully.

Too much can cause irritation of the skin, mouth, and stomach. Always follow a healthcare provider's instructions. Goldenseal can be poisonous in high doses. Milk thistle is used for liver problems and high cholesterol. It is also used to reduce the growth of cancer cells. Study results are not clear about its real benefits for liver disease.

Saint John's wort can help with mild to moderate depression. Results for severe depression are not clear. It can make your skin sensitive to light in high doses. It can interact with other medicines in dangerous ways.

Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before using this herb. Saw palmetto is used to treat urine problems from an enlarged prostate. But recent studies have found it not to work for this.

It can cause mild upset stomach or headaches. Valerian is used to treat sleep problems and to reduce anxiety. Research shows it may work as a sleep aid, but the results are mixed.

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking it.