Natural Relief From Pain

For mild headaches, consider Tiger Balm, says Andrew Weil, M.D., author of the upcoming "Why Our Health Matters." This Chinese ointment contains menthol, which creates a warm, tingling feeling that eases pain when rubbed into your neck or temples.

Massaging a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your temples may also help for headaches triggered by stress, says herbalist Deb Soule, author of "A Woman's Book of Herbs." Indeed, past research has shown that lavender can promote relaxation. Or try plant remedies with a long history of traditional use and supporting scientific evidence: "Willow bark and meadowsweet both have anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve headaches," Soule explains.

Take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of tincture as needed at the first sign of symptoms. For arthritis pain, turn to turmeric, boswellia, or fish oil, which all show promise in recent research; talk to a health-care practitioner about the best form and dosage.

Cold Cures - Natural Relief

Take a dropperful of echinacea tincture in water four times a day at the first sign of symptoms, until they subside. Some studies have shown it can shorten colds; everyone is different though so try it for yourself to see if it works for you. Additionally elderberry syrup, which research suggests can fight flu, may also ease symptoms of a common cold. Take according to directions until a few days after symptoms have disappeared.

You also might try a neti pot, an Aladdin's lamp-shaped vessel that you fill with warm salt water and use to irrigate congested nasal passages. A small study showed that this practice can help decrease the symptoms associated with chronic sinus infections. Many customers have had great relief from chronic sinus infections AND their allergies from using their Neti Pot with regular use.

Ditch the White Foods to Keep Your Mind Sharp

White sugar, flour, and other refined carbohydrates are absorbed quickly as sugar into the bloodstream and can cause a spike in insulin levels. This promotes inflammation, which in turn has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Keep blood sugar stable by choosing slower-burning carbohydrates like whole grains. If whole grains are hard to swallow, then start with good for you energy bars loaded with whole grain goodness.

Hit the Sack to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Getting enough shut-eye doesn't just boost your energy -- it may increase brainpower as well. Research shows that a good night's sleep helps improve memory. In one recent study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers found that sufficient sleep is also necessary to help retain episodic memory -- your ability to remember times, places, and events. Although sleep needs vary, most of us require about eight hours a night.

Immunity Boost With Yoga

With the chilly weather invariably comes cold and flu season. But before you stock up on Kleenex and cough drops, consider a preventive approach that strengthens your defenses with yoga.

Its twists, backbends, and inversions stimulate your main immunity components -- the adrenal glands and lymphatic system -- helping them perform better, says Jeff Migdow, M.D., a holistic physician and yoga expert. Yoga's deep breathing also helps calm the nervous system, which "tells the immune system when to fight off a threat and when it can rest," he says. "When you're tense, those signals become garbled."

Spice Things Up to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Turmeric does more than add flavor to curry dishes. Curcumin, one of the compounds in this spice, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some early research has linked it to a lower risk of cognitive decline. Preliminary animal studies suggest it may help prevent Alzheimer's disease, a condition that's rarer in India, where curry is a staple. Add turmeric to food regularly or mix 1/2 teaspoon with hot water and sip as a tea.