14 alternative treatments that may help ease common ailments

Vitamins, mineral supplements and herbal remedies can sometimes play a role in alleviating everyday ailments. These 14 natural treatments could possibly be key to helping you stay healthy. Just be sure to ask your doctor before trying any one of them!

• Well known for its antibacterial properties, garlic is believed to be a natural antibiotic.
• Take capsules or tablets for all kinds of infections, particularly those of the nose, throat and chest.

• Take either tablets or capsules for nausea, travel sickness and morning sickness, as some people have reported it counters the symptoms.
• Ginger may also help some circulatory disorders.

• Drink lavender tea to help relieve headaches and counter stress.
• Use the essential oil for minor burns, insect bites, stings and cold sores. For any injuries that are more serious, seek immediate medical attention.
• Add five drops to a bedtime bath to encourage sound sleep, as the light, refreshing scent reportedly has an overall calming effect.

• Research has identified a key component of this herb (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) as promoting the healing of ulcers.
• This also appears to work as a soothing treatment for gastrointestinal inflammation and various disorders, including indigestion.

Warning: don't take high doses because it can cause high blood pressure in some people. If you have any concerns or medical issues, first seek advice from your family doctor.

• Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, are the "friendly" bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. They help your body break down the food that your eat.
• Take tablets or capsules to restore the probiotics destroyed by antibiotics, as eating "probiotic rich" yogurt alone isn't enough to do the job.

• Considered a "blood cleanser," red clover is traditionally used to treat blemished skin.
• It is also a source of plant chemicals with mild estrogen-like properties that may assist menopausal women. Take in capsule or tea form.

• A gentle blend of flower essences that rebalances emotions, it is also said to relieve the emotional component of accidents, injuries and shock.

• Used in treating acid indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, diarrhea, constipation, bronchitis and coughs.
• Take tablets or mix the powder in a liquid or mashed with banana.

• These bitter herbs stimulate digestion and relieve intestinal wind.

• This can potentially help to alleviate bacterial and fungal skin infections. For vaginal yeast infections, use it diluted in a shallow bath.
• Apply tea tree oil to small problem areas, such as pimples or around an inflamed hangnail.
• For larger areas, dilute it by adding 10 drops to 5 millilitres (1 teaspoon) of almond oil or witch hazel.

• Helps boost the immune system, builds protective collagen around blood vessels in the skin, and may also have an antihistamine-like effect on rashes and hay fever.
• Take tablets or powder at the first sign of a viral or bacterial infection, as some people think it reduces the duration of a cold.
• To reduce stomach acidity caused by taking vitamin C, choose a brand that is buffered with mineral ascorbates.

• Helps reduce the risk of heart disease; especially if your family has a history of circulatory disorders.
• Use the liquid from vitamin E capsules to dress minor cuts and scrapes and to help heal scars.

• Dab liquid on cuts, scrapes, bruises, insect bites and stings.
• Makes a soothing, astringent treatment for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Chill before applying.

• If you feel a cold coming on, suck on a lozenge to relieve the symptoms. Some have observed that it may even reduce the duration of a cold.

If you are looking for a natural way to stay healthy, vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal remedies may be able to help. However, before you start using an alternative treatment, always seek the approval of your doctor first.