Natural remedies

Today's eco-tip is to try to find natural remedies from every day plants and foods that you would normally buy or use.  I don't have a green thumb, AT ALL, but I'd like to get some of these to clean the air indoors & to get more use than just spicing up my food.

Here are a few remedies that I found online:
Aloe Vera plant:
Just the other day, I finally purchased my very first aloe vera plant.  I am a klutz in the kitchen, but I love to cook. But a week doesn't go by without burning or cutting myself.  This is a plant that will heal these minor injuries without getting medicine from the store and it works amazingly well, the natural way.
Dandelions:
This is the plant that most preschools give your kid to plant and bring home.  Remember the movie ET?  It has another use besides looking pretty for about a week.  If you put these in a paper bag with unripe fruit, the flowers & leaves release ethylene gas to ripen the fruit quickly.  How about that!
Blackberries:
If you mix the roots and leaves, it can help soothe sore throats.  If you mix the fruit & root bark with honey, it's a great cough remedy.  If you happen to be growing your own blackberries, or just buy them from the store, why not try this before putting all of those pharmaceutical remedies into your body.  It's all natural, so what could it hurt?  I haven't tried this myself, but plan to the next time the need arises.
Peppermint oil:
May have benefits for those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).  Try putting some in some hot chocolate or in chocolate chip cookies.  Tastes great with some added benefits.
Fresh basil:
Antioxidant, boosts your immune system, helps prevent viral infections (like colds and the flu)
Ginger:
Every pregnant woman has heard that ginger helps reduce nausea (think, GingerAle).  But ginger is also good for several other uses.  Check out this site for more of it's remedies:  http://www.botanical-online.com/medicinalsgengibreangles.htm
Cinnamon:
This spice can be used for everything from memory-loss (boy do I need this one!) to headaches to the common cold.  Here is the link for it's uses: http://www.asianonlinerecipes.com/herbs-health/cinnamon-healing-properties.php

Other edible remedies:
Artichokes, honey and garlic can reduce cholesterol.  (Individually, not put together).
Tarragon treats toothaches.
Cranberries can treat UTI's in women.
Grapefruit may prevent obesity.
Thyme:  This herb fights viruses, helps menstrual cramps, is a cold remedy, and is a digestive aid.  

Why not try these natural remedies out without going too extreme with potions you've never heard of, or with medicines you get over the counter.  I'm not saying to do without modern medicines completely, just try something made from the earth first and see what happens.  Wouldn't hurt to try, right?

Visit this site for more information on herbal remedies:
http://www.pharrah13.com/herbal_uses.html