Natural Remedies for Pain, Sleep, PMS, and More

Two years into medical school, Laurie Steelsmith needed something for pain in her hands and arms. It wasn’t clear what was wrong, but it was a struggle just to braid her hair, take notes in class, and even drive a car. When high doses of ibuprofen prescribed by her doctors only made her ears ring, Steelsmith turned elsewhere—to all-natural medicine. Using herbs and other supplements, she says, her pain slowly but surely disappeared.

Seventeen pain-free years later, Steelsmith, 44, a doctor of Chinese and naturopathic medicine and author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health, is one of 90 million American women who regularly use supplements. “I really believe in this medicine,” she says. “It’s what my body needs.”

Which all-natural remedies are best for you? Health asked Steelsmith and other natural-medicine experts to identify safe and effective choices for women. Of course, as the word implies, any supplement is an add-on to a healthy lifestyle, not a substitute for eating well, exercising, or keeping your doctor’s appointments. Supplements are not cure-alls.