Since the beginning of time, mamas have been using home remedies to ease the pain and discomfort of their families aches and pains. From turpentine and lard rubbed on the chest for coughs to a worn, warm sock tied around the neck for a sore throat, home remedies of the past were interesting and sometimes humorous. Some home remedies of the past are still used today, while others have gone away with well...the dinosaurs!

Athlete's Foot: Would you believe that some people swear by urinating on their feet to rid themselves of athlete's foot? Tea tree oil seems to be found in quite a few home remedy recipes. Rubbing tea tree oil on your feet is a natural remedy that many find success with. Applying it twice a day for two weeks should do the trick.

Ear Pain: If you have ever had an earache, you know how painful it can be. Warm olive oil dripped into the ear can ease the pain. Two or three drops of three parts white vinegar and one part alcohol will also stop ear pain.

Gas: Ginger root, like tea tree oil, is another good natural cure for many ailments. Grate 1 teaspoon of ginger, mix with one teaspoon of lime juice, add to six ounces of water, sweeten with a little honey, and drink up. If you have gallstones or are on blood-thinning medicines, do not use this at home remedy.

Itchy Scalp: Herbal oils such as lavender, chamomile, and neem oil added to water (4:1, water to oil) and then sprayed directly on the scalp can ease the itch. Apple cider vinegar is another remedy that has been around forever. Half water / half vinegar can be applied directly to the scalp, no need to rinse.

Kids Cough: Honey has been used as a natural home remedy for ages. A teaspoon of honey will help ease the frequency of a child's cough and soothe the throat. Do not give honey to children under one.

Oral Thrush: Oral thrush can be embarrassing and painful. Five to eight drops of tea tree oil mixed with water and gargled twice daily is effective in clearing up oral thrush. Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with one cup of cool water also clears up oral thrush. Do not swallow either of these mixtures.

Ringworm: Apple cider vinegar, once again, is a natural cure for ringworm. Soak the affected area for 10 - 15 minutes once a day, until ringworm is cured.

Zits: A dab of toothpaste on that pesky spot over night is said to dry zits out. Tea tree oil can be applied to zits as well, because of it is bacteria fighting agents.

Did you notice that anything that comes from a fungus or bacteria can be treated with tea tree oil? Stock up on apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, honey, olive oil, and tea tree oil and you should be well prepared to use alternative therapies to ease the pain and discomfort of your family. Remember this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a medical question regarding any of these ailments, it is best to call your health care provider.