Garlic is a top treatment for athletes's foot, says botanist James Dukes, PhD, author of the Green Pharmacy (Rodale Press, 1997). He suggests soaking feet in a basin of warm water and a little rubbing alcohol with several peeled, crushed garlic cloves.

Can't stand the smell? Try these instead:

Ginger. It's second to garlic as an antifungal, says Dr. Duke. Simmer 1 ounce of chopped fresh ginger in 1 cup of boiling water for 20 minutes, cool and apply to your feet twice a day.

Tea tree oil. It's a highly concentrated disinfectant. That's why Beverly Yates, ND, of the Natural Health care group in Seattle, recommends diluting it: Use one part tea tree oil to seven parts olive oil-enough to smell its strong odor. Swab it in your feet twice a day.

Source: Prevention Magazine July 2000