Looking for a cure-all? Tea tree oil, a natural derivative of the melaleuca alternifolia plant, might be the closest thing to it. This disinfecting, tangy-smelling oil can help clear up acne, heal cuts and scrapes, fight athlete's foot and treat a wide array of other ailments. It's also widely available in personal care and household cleaning products.

As a supplement to other kinds of treatment, some health care providers use art therapy to help patients heal from both physical and emotional trauma. Like talk therapy, art therapy helps patients release emotions and thoughts about their condition and their experience, and sometimes the results are incredibly enlightening...and beautiful.

Ready to try something new? Be sure to use care when exploring alternative and complementary medical treatments. Professional organizations offer many practitioners training and certification, but some service providers might not be up to snuff. Speak with your health care professional about options and referrals.

Get connected! Mind-body medicine is just what it sounds like: a health practice that examines - and takes advantage of - the connection between mind and body. Through practices like biofeedback, relaxation methods, cognitive behavioral therapy and more, health care providers teach patients how to find those connections and use them to heal.

Prayer as medicine: A recent survey shows that many people believe in the power of prayer and other forms of spirituality to help heal. They may pray for themselves, participate in prayer circles, or ask others to pray for them.

Ah, the healing power of yogurt. Actually, it's what's hiding in yogurt that can heal: a naturally occurring ingredient called acidophilus. This probiotic helps regulate digestion and prevent (or treat) yeast infections. Not a yogurt fan? You can purchase powders, capsules and other forms of acidophilus to supplement your diet.

Looking for a new way to treat a chronic condition? Try your local health food store, where staff should be able to introduce you to homeopathic treatments, foods that can alleviate specific symptoms and aromatherapy oils for bath or massage. Remember to check in with your health care provider to identify potential conflicts with other medications.

Get in touch with yourself with the practice of tai chi chuan (translation: "supreme ultimate fist"), a meditative Chinese martial art-turned-exercise. Results include increased strength and balance, improved circulation, relaxation and stress reduction.

Biofeedback may sound a little bizarre, but it's actually a proven treatment for many chronic pain conditions and other ailments. In training, you'll learn about mind-body connections and how to use them to control your breathing, circulation, muscle tension and relaxation and more, all so you have the skills to care for yourself whenever possible.

Baking soda: not just for the kitchen anymore. For super-clean, brighter-looking teeth, try dipping a wet toothbrush in baking soda and brushing as usual. Remove rough skin on your elbows and feet by rubbing with a baking soda/water paste. And get smoother hair by adding a small amount to your regular shampoo.