It is believed that everything we need to treat minor ailments such as allergies, skin problems and other minor health issues can be found in a natural state or in nature. So when you have a health condition, firstly see if some plant material, another natural substance or food stuff can help cure the problem. Most people have many of these natural remedies in their cupboard or can easily access them for little cost.

If you are taking any medications or have major health issues, be sure to check with your doctor before trying anything new, especially if you think it may interact with that drug. Often it is better to try to take preventative steps to avoid contracting serious illnesses rather than trying to cure certain conditions later on. By eating healthily, exercising more and avoiding harmful chemicals in our life, we can build up a strong immune system which protects us from disease.

Coconut Oil is fast becoming well recognized as a food item that is good for many different type of ailments or conditions. It has a multitude of health benefits, which include improved skin condition, hair care, improved digestion and immunity against a host of infections and diseases. Other ways to use coconut oil is to aid in weight loss, improve brain function, and improved dental health. Regular brushing of your teeth with the oil mixed with carb -soda is wonderful for improving the enamel coating of your teeth and helps prevents disease.

Many of the common herbal remedies are made from the use of plants that many people have already in their garden. Some popular herbs are echinacea, lavender, comfrey, calendula, aloe vera and chamomile. (See corresponding pictures of these plants below)

Echinacea is commonly used to enhance the immune system; lavender oil for asthma and headaches; comfrey for the treatment of wounds, acne, boils and fungal skin infections; calendula cream is great for bites, stings and nappy rash; aloe vera is known for the treatment of sunburn, minor burns and warts; and feverfew can help to reduce fever and to treat headaches, arthritis and digestive problems.

Rosemary essential oil is great for the relief of muscular aches and pain and can be used in soaps, perfumes and cleaning products. Turmeric is believed to aid with cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's and psoriasis . Garlic is good for colds and flu while ginger is great for digestive problems. Like all remedies this is not to be taken as medical advice but to be used as a preventative measure and further research is advised depending on your own medical condition. Be sure to always ask your doctor before starting any new treatment.

Honey is great for sore throats, colds and flu or mixed with lemon and ginger for upset stomachs. Cinnamon is great to help lose weight and known to assist balancing glucose levels in diabetics. Clove oil is very popular for tooth ache.

We often think of food as something we need to enjoy and as such we tend to go for processed foods high in sugar and fat. We forget that food is also vital for our good health, to help prevent disease and to build up our immune system. What you may not know is that all the metabolic pathways or reactions that occur in our body have specific molecules called enzymes and co- factors that need to be present in the body to make these reactions occur. Many of these co-factors are the vitamins and minerals we get from our food, such as magnesium, copper, iron and some vitamins such as the B group. So as you can see most of these compounds are derived from the food we eat, which are found mostly in raw, fresh fruit and vegetables. So its like putting cooking oil in your car and expecting it to run smoothly. Eventually it is going to break down. We need to provide our body with the right fuel to get it to run optimally.