Stay Healthy Tips

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.

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Go Herbal
For varicose veins, try horse chestnut, an herbal extract that's been shown in studies to
strengthen veins and reduce swelling. The herb is also available in topical creams, though
there's not as much evidence for these.

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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.

Photo: Jonathon Kantor

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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.

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Get a Good Pair of Sneakers

Is your energy lagging? Though it may be the last thing you feel like doing when you're tired,
exercise -- even a brisk walk -- can be more effective than a nap or cup of coffee at fighting
fatigue.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Benefit From Bilberry

Studies are mixed, but some have found that bilberry, a relative of the blueberry, may improve
night vision. During World War II, fighter pilots reported better night vision after eating bilberry
jam. Take 25 to 50 milligrams of bilberry extract; expect best results within the first few hours.

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Eat Bananas
People whose diets are rich in potassium may be less prone to high blood pressure. Besides
reducing sodium and taking other heart-healthy steps, eat potassium-packed picks such as
bananas, cantaloupe, and oranges.

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Love Lavender
To ease stress and prepare for bed, soak in a hot bath spiked with a few drops of lavender
essential oil. Play soothing music while you bathe to unwind further.

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Keep Capsaicin Cream on Hand

For sore muscles and joints, apply a cream or ointment that contains capsaicin, the active
ingredient in chile peppers, two or three times a day. The heat from the peppers has been
shown to help relieve pain.

Photo: Craig Cutler

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Get a Massage
Certain trigger points -- spots of tension in musculoskeletal tissue -- can cause back pain. Ask
a massage therapist or other bodyworker who specializes in myofascial release or
neuromuscular therapy to focus on these points during a massage.

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Go for Garlic

Adding raw or lightly cooked garlic and onions to your meals may help keep you healthy this
winter. Both foods appear to possess antiviral and antibacterial properties and are believed to
boost immunity.

Photo: Kana Okada

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Try Tea Tree Oil

For athlete's foot, reach for tea tree oil, an extract of the leaves of an Australian tree. It
appears to have antiseptic properties and may work as well as or better than over-the-counter
antifungal products. Apply a light coating of the oil to affected areas two to three times a day;
continue for a week or two after symptoms disappear.

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Take Tulsi
Research suggests that this Ayurvedic herb, also called holy basil, may help manage levels of
the stress hormone cortisol, helping to boost your mood. Look for teas and supplements in
health-food stores and follow package directions.

Photo: Yunhee Kim

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Eat Avocados
For dry skin, incorporate more avocados into your diet. They're rich in monounsaturated fat
and vitamin E, both of which promote healthy skin. Try them on salads and sandwiches, and
even in smoothies.

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Keep Echinacea Close

If you feel a cold coming on, consider reaching for this age-old remedy. A 2007 meta-analysis
showed that the herb can reduce cold symptoms. Aim for three grams daily in tincture or
capsule form, starting at the first sign of symptoms.

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Invest in a Neti Pot

Plagued with sinus problems? Rinse your nasal passages twice a day to flush out pollen and
other irritants. Put saline solution (a 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup warm water) in a plastic
squirt bottle or a nasal irrigator, a spouted container that allows you to pour water directly into
your nose. The solution should fill your nasal cavity and spill out the other nostril. Gently blow
your nose afterward.

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Try Triphala
Avoid constipation and stay regular with Triphala, an Ayurvedic blend of three fruits that is
believed to help tone the gastrointestinal tract. Look for capsules of Triphala and follow
package directions.

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Make Small Talk

Engaging in casual conversation with others may help keep you as sharp as doing a word
puzzle, according to some studies. Just 10 minutes of daily chatter appears to improve mental
function and preserve memory.

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Befriend a Bottle
For heel and arch pain, try stretching your foot by rolling it over a rolling pin or a bottle.

Photo: Alexandra Rowely

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Arm Yourself 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.

Photo: Anita Calero

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Go for GLA
If you've ruled out other causes of hair loss, such as stress, overuse of hair-care products,
and certain medications and diseases such as hypothyroidism, consider supplementing with
evening primrose oil. It's a good source of gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that's
needed for hair growth and is hard to get from your diet. Experts recommend taking 500
milligrams twice a day; expect to wait eight weeks to see results.

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

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Eat Japanese Food

In addition to following good dental hygiene, you can help prevent cavities by adding more
shiitake mushrooms and wasabi to your diet. Both foods contain compounds that help fight
the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities.

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