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If the sore is drying out, dab on a few drops of oil of St John's Wort. If it's weeping, brew some lemon balm tea, strain, and apply with a cotton...

Taking Echinacea at the first sign of a sniffle often bolsters the system sufficiently to help the body fight the virus. I also recommend tincture or tablets of astragalus, a powerful Chinese herb...

Peppermint tea provides relief by promoting digestion and helping to expel wind. To make, pour one cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves. Cover and let sit for 15...

My Nanna's syrup of figs is still the best remedy. Combine half a cup each of chopped dried figs, raisins and pearl barley, and a quarter of a cup of chopped liquorice root (from health food stores)...

Massage cod liver oil, rich in vitamin A, into cuticles and nails. After three months, nails will stronger and cuticles smoother.

Bathe bruises in chilled hazel or arnica tincture to help contract the damaged blood vessels, making the bruise disappear more quickly than usual. Take bromelain tablets to relieve fluid build-up and residual swelling. Bromelain is an enzyme that has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Buy an aloe vera plant for the windowsill and, if you burn yourself, simply split open a leaf and apply its natural gel to promote healing.

Make a decongestant by adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and sipping frequently.

Try an oatmeal bath. In a blender, grind dry rolled oats into a very fine powder. Add two cups to a bath of lukewarm water. Simply pat skin dry.

Pep up poor circulation by taking a mustard footbath. Simply add one tablespoon of dried mustard to a bowl of hot water and soak your feet.