All About Home Remedies

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.

While some studies show that a mixture of herbs that includes chamomile might help kids’ upset tummies, chamomile alone doesn’t have that effect.

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.

A smear of honey on your skin also can keep bacteria from growing and helps you heal faster. It may even help prevent scarring.

For most adults, it’s safe to take, but there’s no evidence it helps with anything related to your health, including your brain.

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.

There’s lots of research on cinnamon as a natural remedy, but so far, no big studies have shown that it helps with any specific medical problem.

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).

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.

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.

Research shows ginseng may help with some menopausal symptoms including hot flashes during menopause.

This plant seems to cool things off for some women during menopause. The science behind it is still hazy, though.