Dr. John analyzes some home remedies that actually work

When it comes to home remedies we all have one or two that seem to work. Most of us have also tried ones recommended to us that didn't do anything.

To sort out which ones will help you, the AARP just came out with a list of 10 home remedies that have some scientific proof that they actually work as advertised.

The first one is honey. It's not just a sweetener, but can also help keep a cough under control.

Recent studies have found that honey can suppress coughs in children at the same rate or maybe even slightly better than over the counter cough preparations containing dextromethorphan.

Other studies have shown that honey might work the same in adults, but probably not as well as it does in children. The next time a cough hits, try a teaspoon or two of honey to get it under control. Do not give honey to children less than 1 year old.

Next is liquid dish soap. This type of soap is formulated to get rid of grease and oil. Poison ivy and poison oak act on your skin by depositing an oily chemical which can be hard to clean off. Liquid dish soap can help get that itchy, rash causing oil off, preventing it from spreading.

Then the AARP looked at tart cherry juice. We are not talking about Bing or black cherry juice, but their less-sweet cousin. This juice has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with muscle soreness after exercise, arthritis and gout.

One study found that taking a tablespoon of tart cherry juice concentrate twice a day for four months cut the frequency of gout attacks in half, and one third of those of those taking the juice remained gout attack free.

Baby shampoo can also help in more ways than most think. It can be used to treat eyelids that have become red, itchy and crusty. This condition, known as blepharitis, comes about because of bacteria that gets into the edge of the eyelid. Baby shampoo, diluted with an equal amount of water and gently rubbed along closed eyelid and eyelashes for one minute twice a day, can help get the eyelid back to feeling better.

Witch hazel is a natural anti-inflammatory and has also been used to tighten the skin. It's also one of the main ingredients in hemorrhoid pads. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it can relieve mild itching and irritation from hemorrhoids. You can use it by moistening a pad and applying that to inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue.

Most of us have ginger in our houses to use as a spice. Ginger can also be used to get nausea or motion sickness under control. Studies have shown that 1 gram of ginger just before surgery can reduce nausea and vomiting afterwards. Just make sure your surgeon knows you are doing this. Small amounts of fresh or powdered ginger works better than taking a larger dose.

For motion sickness purposes, one to two pieces of crystallized ginger should help get that under control. Too much can cause an upset stomach, so don't take more than 2 grams at a time.

Water, something most of us take for granted, might help keep you from getting a cold this winter. A 2005 study found that participants who gargled with tap water had fewer respiratory infections than those that didn't gargle during a cold and flu season.

If you've ever gotten a canker sore, you know just how miserable they can make you feel. Milk of magnesia dabbed on the mouth sore can give you some temporary relief. It won't heal the sore, but it will allow you to eat and drink without as much pain. One expert recommends you dab the canker sore first with a mixture of half water, half hydrogen peroxide, then apply the milk of magnesia.

Most women also realize that cranberry juice seems to help keep bladder infections at bay. This juice won't treat infections that are already present, but does seem to keep them from coming on in the first place. Experts recommend a 500mg dose twice a day, with the precaution that if you are already on a blood thinner, like warfarin (Coumadin), Plavix or aspirin, you need to be careful. Cranberry juice and pills can also thin your blood and combining that with these medicines can lead to bleeding.

Perhaps the strangest home remedy is the "off label" use for Vicks VapoRub. Menthol rubs are frequently used to help someone who's sick with a cold or upper respiratory infection breathe easier. But it can also help get rid of toenail fungus. A small study found that 15 of 18 participants that applied Vicks VapoRub once a day to the affected toenails either had a partial or complete elimination of the fungus. Cleaning the nail with a white vinegar soaked cotton ball before applying the menthol rub might help.

The next time you're looking around your pantry, take a look at some of the things you already have on hand that could help keep you and your family healthy.