We’ve all heard of Ayurvedic or homeopathic medicine, of grandma remedies, Chinese medicine, and shamanistic cleanses. Whatever direction you might choose is really up to you and what your beliefs are for obtaining a cure to what ails you.

Having said this, all these practices are old, very old, and many have been passed down verbally or within individual family units. They are not based in science and do not need a scientific theory to prove them right. They work because of ancient wisdom and belief. Their strength is based on observation of nature; plain and simple.

I am sure all of us have little things in our lives that have derived from ancient remedies: chicken soup for a cold, valerian for sleep, lavender for calm, a pumice stone for insect bites…these all do work. How? We really don’t know. I believe that they work because we want them to work. I also believe that our body can greatly heal itself when given the chance.

Here are some of my very favorite remedies…I hope they work as well for you as they do for me.

Lavender Oil: Use it in diffusers or on topical points for sleep and relaxation.

Corn Silk Tea: This is a fantastic brew for kidney or urinary issues.

Rose Water: Can’t beat this simple mist to get a beautiful complexion.

Hibiscus Flower Tea: A wonderful drink to detox and for the kidney.

Parsley: A big parsley salad acts as the ultimate detox.

Chicken Soup: Made with a bit of natural chicken fat from the skin, this soup is great for curing a cold.

Fernet Branca: This ancient Italian digestive cures just about anything especially in countries where water might be an issue.

Lemon Water: The essential start-your-day-drink for any and everyone.