Here are some natural medicines that are readily available. They are a lot better for you, and cost a lot less than the pills, lotions, and elixirs from the pharmacy. This list is in no way complete.

*Care should be taken in picking your own herbs and plants. You would do well to consult someone who knows the plants, and of any conflicts these natural medicines may have with medicines you are currently taking.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): Alfalfa is full of calcium, vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, E and niacin. Very good for lowering cholesterol, preventing atherosclerosis, and for fighting infection.

Aloe (Aloe vera): The juice from the leaf of the aloe is a great remedy for minor burns and scratches. It also relieves warts, and of course, since it is composed of about 96% water, it also makes an excellent moisturizer.

Balm (Melissa officinalis): Also known as lemon balm. Mixed with honey, it makes a good sipping tea, and soothes sore, scratchy throats. I find this invaluable as a singer. You can also chop the leaves, and place some into a cup of boiling water, and drink it as a balm tea, or add it to your own tea. Very calming.

Blackberry (Rubus villosus): Used in a tea, blackberries are good for settling the stomach, and as a system stimulant. Some people have found relief from rheumatism. Blackberries also make a quick, delicious snack.

Burdock (Arctium lappa): Good for sore throats and skin abrasions. Mix some with comfrey as a mild wash for the hands. You can make a tea as well. Place a teaspoon of the ground root in a cup of cold water. Allow this to stand overnight before drinking. If you add 2 cups of distilled water, and bring the mix to a boil, then allow to cool, you can use it as a wash for your throat.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea): Contains histidine, and a diet of cabbage is a good preventative for colon cancer. Also helps keep low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) out of the system. Raw cabbage juice is a good way to clean the digestive system.

Carrot (Daucus sativus): There is a natural antiseptic in carrots that is effective in the mouth, and the juice can help skin swelling and inflammation. Lowers cholesterol. The beta-carotene in carrots is known as a nutrient that helps fight cancer. And of course, we all know that eating carrots somehow keeps the vision sharp.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or recutia): A calming tea can be made from chamomile, by steeping about 2 teaspoons of the dried flowers for around 20 minutes in 1 pint of boiling water.

Cucumber (Cucumis satirus): Cukes make a great snack, and they rid the system of accumulated toxins and poisons. They make a good diuretic. Placing slices of cucumber on the eyes cools and refreshes you.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Good in salads. The leaves should be collected before the plant flowers, then can be used as salad greens. There are lots of nutrients in dandelion.

Garlic (Allium satrium): The benefits of garlic are well known. It can lower your cholesterol and your blood pressure, and is also good when you have a cold. It is a good internal cleanser as well. A natural antibiotic, garlic is great for sinusitis. It also relieves hypertension, and headaches. A little garlic daily is a very good idea. Don't forget a breath mint! ;-)

Ginger (Asarum canadense): To make a ginger tea, you mix one half teaspoon of powdered ginger root with one teaspoon of honey. Add this to a cup of hot water. Sip.

Onion (Allium cepa): Onions are rich in vitamins B and C, and make for good digestion and to calm the stomach and intestines. If you have a sore throat, try mixing honey and lemon with the juice of a crushed onion. Take a teaspoon's worth.

Peppermint and Spearmint (Memtha piperita, Memtha spicata): Both are very good for calming the stomach and the entire digestive system. They also make very good herbal teas. Before the plants begin to flower, collect some leaves. Next, cut them up, and add to two teaspoons of hot or cold water as a drink.

Plantain (Plantago major): Acts as a natural Band-Aid if you place a crushed plantain leaf on a cut. Chewing a piece of rootstock is good for a toothache. Plantain leaves, crushed (about a teaspoon) mixed with hot water can also relieve stomach ulcers.

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota): A member of the carrot family, Queen Anne's Lace is good for heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems. Also contains vitamin A, and has many of the other properties and benefits of carrots.

Sage (Salvia officinalis): Sage is considered sacred by many tribes. Sage leaves used as a tea are good for sore throat, and congestion. It also helps out with bowel problems. You can make the tea by adding 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried leaves to 2 cups of boiling water. Steep. I don't know about others, but I keep a small bundle of sage handy. When my nose feels congested, I hold the bundle to my nose and inhale deeply. This provides me about 4 or 5 hours of free breathing.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Another sacred herb to the Cherokee. The seeds of course make a great food. They have 25% protein, and are full of vitamins A and B-complex. They also have magnesium and calcium. It also used to be reported that sunflower was used for rheumatism and respiratory ailments.