Homemade Natural Sunburn Relief and Remedies

Original Source: http://www.organiclifezone.com
Author: Organic Life Zone
Original Publication Date: 1 August 2009

At least once this summer, you or someone in your family will forget the sunscreen or to cover up. We all do it at least once every year. Luckily, there are a lot of ways we can treat that sunburn without resorting to questionable chemicals.

Of course, if your sunburn is severe, covers a large portion of your body, or is otherwise a concern you should definitely see a doctor or dermatologist as quickly as possible. For those normal burns (no less painful), though, you can treat it at home naturally.

The number one tool in your arsenal should be aloe vera plant or aloe vera gel. In fact, every home should have an aloe plant (or five) as these are some of the most useful and easy to keep plants on the planet when it comes to skin care.

• Aloe vera plant is also extremely easy to apply. Just pick a stem, clip it off, and smash it like you’re trying to get the last of the toothpaste out of the tube and rub the gel all over your burn. It’s sometimes nice to rub an ice cube over the affected area first to soothe the burn and lubricate the skin a little.

Of course, aloe vera gel is available in most stores as well, usually near the vitamins or lotions.

• Another option is chamomile tea as a bath. Using either tea in bags or loose, run a kettle with about six or seven bags worth. Let it steep for about half an hour or so. Then draw a cool bath (not hot, not cold, just right to sit in comfortably on a hot day) and pour the tea in. You can filter the bags and just use the tea if you’d like; for easier cleanup.

Soak in this bath for at least half an hour, but you’ll probably enjoy the coolness and the soothing chamomile, so stay as long as you’d like.

• If you need something portable to take to work, in the car, or otherwise use while you’re busy with other things, you can make a spritz. Using lavender or peppermint oil or calendula tincture, mix a few drops with water in an 8oz spray bottle. Anywhere from 8-10 drops will do the job, just make sure you’re using pure extract oils and not something that’s been watered down.

Test the spritz on cloth or avoid getting it on your clothes if you can as it may stain. Using a cheese cloth or soft handkerchief, you can lightly rub the spray in for extra effect.

There are also a lot of popular food-based spa remedies like cucumbers, strawberries, and so forth are also used as sunburn relievers.

 Retweet This Post