Natural Remedies To Have In Your Medicine Cabinet

I have always found it interesting to hear that doctors keep a variety of natural remedies in their homes. A recent article from Bottom Line Personal (Oct. 15, 2007 issue) had an article about what a pharmacist kept in her medicine cabinet.

Here are some:

Tea Tree Oil - This can be used instead of an antibiotic ointment for cuts or burns. She also uses it diluted to gargle to kill germs that cause sore throats. But don't swallow after you gargle. I have found that in a face wash it's great at getting rid of acne.

Ginger - Suzy Cohen, Rph, the pharmacist, quoted a study that said that people who took ginger for nausea caused by motion sickness did better than when they took the drug, Dramamine. I have used it for years. I take it before I drive on long trips and even sometimes when I get dizzy from staring at my computer all day. In Canada they sell it in little pill forms that look like regular drugs and those work. I usually just use the the herb pill form.

Rhodiola Rosea - This can be used for stress, although my Dad uses this to give him energy. It's made from the root of a Siberian plant and can normalize levels of brain chemicals that affect mood. It also enhances serotonin which increases feelings of well-being.

Arnica Cream - This is the weekend warrior's best friend. It can ease sore muscles and any pain that comes from trying to do much too soon. I use it for back pain and neck aches as well. It works fast. The cream form is best but I have used in it a homeopathic pill when I smashed my toe into a door and it worked quickly as well. ( I'm not the best at walking in high heels!)