Tea tree oil may help get rid of dandruff, clear up acne, and wipe out athlete’s foot
Prescription or over-the-counter medications may work better and faster, but rubbing tea tree oil on your skin can help with several different conditions, mostly skin issues. Don’t ever swallow it, though — it can be toxic.
Echinacea may help prevent a cold
Once a cold hits, echinacea can’t do much. But if you take it before you get sick, you may have a small chance of preventing one in the first place. Note: Washing your hands often is an even better way to do that.
Honey can help protect scraped skin from bacteria
A smear of honey on your skin also can keep bacteria from growing and helps you heal faster. It may even help prevent scarring.
Green tea may lower the risk of heart disease by helping with blood pressure and cholesterol
This may be thanks to chemicals called catechins that help defend plants from radiation and other harmful things. Brewed green tea is rich in them (black tea has them too, just not as many). The caffeine in tea also may make you more alert, and the FDA has stamped its OK on ointments that use a green tea extract to treat genital warts.
Peppermint oil might help with tension headaches
Some studies have shown that rubbing it on your temples may ease this kind of headache. Peppermint also may help with indigestion and some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
To help keep your blood sugar steady, you might reach for vinegar
A tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water before a meal may help keep your blood glucose under control. Don’t do this more than twice a day, though — too much can bother your stomach and wear away the enamel on your teeth. A better idea might be to use it as part of a salad dressing.
If you take birth control pills, you shouldn’t take St. John’s Wort
It can keep the pill from working as well as it should. This plant-based supplement can affect how well other medicines work, too, including antidepressants, blood thinners, and some heart, cancer, and HIV medications.
If you’re going through menopause, ginseng might help with mood swings
Research shows ginseng can boost your mood during menopause. But there’s no proof it helps with hot flashes or bloating.
Some women say black cohosh can help treat hot flashes
This plant seems to cool things off for some women during menopause. The science behind it is still hazy, though.
Source: All About Home Remedies >
