There are many good products on the shelves today.   But guard yourself and your family.   I suggest you use only herbals that you have a good basic knowledge about, and stick to using single ingredient herbs until you develop a better knowledge.   I suppose this is why I grow my own medicinal herbs, I then know exactly what is in the final product.   If I do purchase herbs I buy them as whole as possible.   I 100% believe in medicinal herbs and have made my own judgments on what works and what doesn't work.   You need to take responsibility for your own also.   You need to get books and research each and every herb you plan on using.   Know the benefits, the side effects and the possible harm it may cause different individuals before you ever consider using them.

Baths & Washes

Add essential oils to your bath water for a relaxing soak to ease aching limbs, clear stuffy noses, and relieve many other minor ailments.   Use 2-5 drops of undiluted essential oil in the bathwater and stir well.

Some of the most useful are:  
Chamomile - for anxiety, insomnia, and menstural discomfort.
Eucalyptus - for coughs, colds, aches, and pains.
Lavender - for headaches, aches, pains, and stress.
Peppermint - for fatigue and nasal congestion.
Rosemary - for fatigue, aching joints and period pain.

Compresses

Soak a cloth in a hot decoction of herb, squeeze most of the liquid out and apply the hot cloth to the affected area. Once it has cooled, repeat the process. Tinctures of other herbs and essential oils can be added to the liquid.

Creams

A cream is a blend of oil, beeswax and water. You can make your own, or purchase an unscented, water based cream. After adding herb to purchased cream, simmer in the top of a double boiler for 30 minutes. Strain before it cools.

Melt two ounces beeswax in a double boiler. Add one cup olive or other vegetable oil and blend. Add two ounces herb. For lighter cream, add a little water, mixing well. Simmer 20 minutes, mixing well. Add a drop of tincture of benzoin as a preservative. Strain thorough a cloth in to sterilized jars.

Decoctions

This is usually the method of choice for bark and seeds. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb per cup of cold water. Bring the mixture gently to a boil. Keeping covered, simmer for about 10 minutes.   The usual dosage is 1 cup three times a day. If the herb is very bitter or strong, use 4 teaspoons three times a day. Prepare no more than 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator.

Footbaths

To relieve aching feet, easing sprains, or stimulating the circulation the traditional mustard bath, using a heaping teaspoon of powdered mustard to a basin of hot water, is still an effective treatment today. To help reduce bruising and bring some relief for badly sprained andles put the feet in a basin of hot water containing a large handful of rosemary sprigs for 3-5 minutes and then plunge into a basin of iced water for 1-2 minutes.
Repeat as many times as you can stand it.

Gargles & Mouthwashes

Syrups… Sugar is a good preservative and is ideal for cough mixtures, especially since some herbs for coughs are very bitter.

Prepare two cups of an infusion or decoction of the required herb. Strain and add 1¾ cup brown sugar or a honey and sugar mixture. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves.   Pour into a clean glass bottle and seal. Store in the refrigerator.   The standard dosage is one teaspoon three times a day.

Infusions - Teas

A standard infusion is prepared by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb (or 2 to 4 teaspoons of fresh herb) to a cup of boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes before straining. If the herb is left too long, the infusion will become bitter. It's best to use a ceramic pot with a lid.   The standard dosage is one cup three times a day. It may be taken hot or cold, but infusions prepared for colds and flu should be taken hot. Never prepare the infusion more than 24 hours in advance.

Massage Oils

Massage oils are made from a few drops of essential oil diluted in a carrier oil - sweet almond or whear germ is best, but sunflower or other vegetable oil may be used.   Infused oils are also used as carriers.   Once diluted, essential oils soon deteriorate, so it is best to mix small amounts frequently.

Application:   Pour about 2-5 ml (1/2 to 1 teaspoonful) onto the hands (not directly onto the body) and rub gently.

Poultices

Poultices are effective for boils, abscesses, chest infections and sprains. Mix chopped herb or powdered seeds with boiling water to make a pulp. Place the pulp in a piece of cloth and apply to the affected area while hot. It should be replaced when cool. A thin layer of calendula cream will protect the skin and prevent the poultice from sticking.

Steam Inhalations

Steam inhalations can relieve conditions such as sinusitis, bronchitis, or asthma by helping clear the respiratory system of excess mucus.  Well diluted infusions or essential oils are used, with active plant ingredients that are anti-allergenic and anti-enflammatory.   After treatment, stay in a warm room for 30 mintues to give the airways time to readjust.   Standard quantities are to add 500 ml of a standard infusion or 5-10 drops of good quality essential oil to a basin of steaming hot water.   Drape a towel over the head and basin to contain the steam, then inhale steadily for 10 minutes.   Breathe normally, rather than too deeply.   Do this once or twice daily.

Use steam for skin problems like acne and an inhalant for bronchial problems like sunusitis and laryngitis.   Add a strong decoction, one or two drops of essential oils, or 2 teaspoons of tincture to boiling water.

Tonic Wines

Use a sweet red wine with an alcohol content of at least 12%. Cover four ounces of herb with three cups of wine. Leave for a week before straining.   Take four teaspoons one or two times daily.   Herbal wine is best used within a month.