Healthy tips

Enjoy Ginger

The volatile oils in ginger have long made it a useful herbal remedy for nasal and chest congestion. 

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over a 1-inch piece of peeled, grated ginger; steep for 10 minutes; and strain. 

Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the water and drink as needed.

Sip Oolong Tea

Research suggests that people with mild eczema who drink oolong tea three times a day may show improvement in itching and other symptoms. 

Compounds in the tea called polyphenols appear to be responsible.

Pop a Probiotic

To keep yeast infections at bay, head for the vitamin aisle. 

Supplementing with "good" bacteria (for example, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium) may help restore the balance the of bacteria living in the female genital tract and inhibit the growth of yeast in women with recurrent infections. 

Foods such as naturally fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir, as well as yogurt with active cultures, also contain these bacteria.

Go Herbal

For varicose veins, try horse chestnut, an herbal extract that's been shown in studies to strengthen veins and reduce swelling. 

Embrace Bitters

Combat a yen for sugar by following a Chinese medicine approach : eat foods such as endive, radicchio, cooked greens, and olives.

The herb is also available in topical creams, though there's not as much evidence for these.

Rub Your Temples

Tame tension headaches by rubbing peppermint oil, Tiger Balm, or white flower oil into your temples. 

All three remedies contain menthol, which has analgesic properties.

Sniff Rosemary

According to some research, catching a whiff of this aromatic herb may increase alertness and improve memory. 

To stay sharp, try smelling fresh rosemary or inhaling the scent of rosemary essential oil before a test or meeting.

Go Fish

If you suffer from dry eyes, up your seafood intake. 

Salmon, sardines, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids, which the body uses to produce tears, among other things. 

Research suggests that people who consume higher amounts of these fats are less likely to have dry eyes.

Arm with Arnica

Homeopathic creams, gels, and ointments that contain arnica, a flower similar to the daisy, have long been used to relieve swelling and bruising. 

Rub into the affected area, but stop using if you develop skin irritation.

Go Natural

Avoid products that can damage or dry out your fingernails, such as formaldehyde containing polishes and acetone filled removers.