SPECIAL REPORT: Sick of medicine? What about a home remedy? – KKCO-TV

MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKCO) -- These days it seems like there's a quick fix for just about every ailment.

Some people swear by home remedies, like coconut oil to make your hair grow faster, or ginger to get rid of a cold.

But how safe are they, and do they really work?

For Jennifer Stephens, her interest in alternative medicine began when she started having some health issues a few years ago.

Her first instinct was to see a doctor.

But after a misdiagnosis, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

"So, I had actually sought out an integrative medicine doctor and looked at that as an alternative. And I found out indeed I did have an issue with my thyroid, said Stephens.

During the process, she also discovered essential oils.

He prescribed a natural thyroid medication and really had a conversation with me about synthetic vs natural," said Stephens.

One use and she was hooked. Stephens made it her mission to learn everything about essential oils.

However, safety remained her number one priority, especially for her family.

"What am I giving my daughter? What kinds of things am I giving her when she says I have a headache? Am I handing out Tylenol or an over-the-counter medication?" she asked.

That is when she found doTERRA.

"As a parent, I do my research, I have looked at doTERRA essential oils, which is the company I choose to use the oils from," she said. "They are certified pure, therapeutic grade, they are third party tested."

Thanks to the oils, the Stephens family embraced a more natural and healthier lifestyle.

They no longer turn to traditional medication for a quick fix.

"In our house, if we have a headache we will use peppermint and frankincense and lemon, and we layer oils on our forehead and probably on the back of our neck," Stephens said.

She also turned to oils when her 14-year-old daughter, Keeli, was struggling to keep her energy up during the day.

"I have a very boring class at the end of the day and it's very hard to stay awake," said Keeli.

After mixing and matching the right combination of oils, she says she's not only more alert, but actually doing better in class.

"Some of the positive side effects were how motivated I got during class, and how focused I was, especially reading books," said Keeli.

However, keep in mind, its not always a one-size-fits-all approach. "It's not matchy-matchy, so it's not if you have a headache you definitely do this thing, if you have a tummy ache you definitely do this thing," said April Schulte-Barclay, a doctor who specializes in acupuncture and oriental medicine.

She and her team work to treat the entire body, while trying to find the source of the problem.

"Lets say someone walks in and they have chronic headaches. It's very likely that from their primary care physician they've been prescribed some sort of pain relieving medication, but underneath those headaches is probably an imbalance, something that needs to be addressed," said Barclay.

She tells me in some cases, a simple fix may end up doing more harm than good.

"So if we are dependent on medicine for too long, then we are usually ignoring a deeper problem that continues to fester and fester," said Barclay.

She says sometimes the best solution to a problem could be hiding in your pantry.

"For example, apple cider vinegar, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, is really helpful to boost what I call your stomach chi, or your bodys ability to digest properly," said Barclay.

Barclay said you can take two tablespoons of the vinegar, mixed with 4 ounces of water. You can also add honeyfor your digestive remedy.

And it doesn't stop there.

Dr. Marie Collier works at St. Mary's.

She uses both traditional and alternative methods to treat her epilepsy patients.

"I have the knowledge and the training to integrate both," said Dr. Collier.

She says it's all about finding a balance, and she says it's always a good idea to get advice from the experts first.

"Doctor Google is a dangerous place I always recommend meeting with a medical professional and talking about your options, reviewing your medications," said Collier.

For moms like Stephensshe says it's good to remember, you're not the doctor.

"You can't just assume you knowI would suggest doing research, I think you have to go with a company that has put forth the effort to make sure they are educating people," she said.

Keep in mind, there are always risks, whether it's medication or a home remedy.

The experts say everybody responds differently, even to natural approaches.

Everyone we spoke with says the most important thing to do is consult your medical team before deciding on a treatment.

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SPECIAL REPORT: Sick of medicine? What about a home remedy? - KKCO-TV