Sunburn Remedies You Already Have at Home (+ Recipe)
Natural Sunburn Remedies That You Already Have At Home
Summer is here and with it comes the sunshine that we all love. Unfortunately, too much sun can lead to painful sunburns. If you have an herbal garden or keep a home apothecary, there are several natural remedies you probably already have on hand that can help to soothe the burn and help the skin to heal.
Aloe Vera
For mild sunburns, one of the best herbal remedies is aloe vera. This now-popular house plant has been used for centuries to soothe and heal skin. The gel found inside the leaves of the plant can be applied directly to the skin for relief. Aloe vera gel helps to cool the skin and reduce inflammation, as well as promote healing.
When using aloe gel directly from the plant, be mindful to avoid skin contact with the yellow liquid that the leaves produce, and use only the clear gel. The yellow liquid is called ‘aloin’ and it causes skin irritation.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another herb that can be used to treat sunburns. If you have chamomile tea at home, you can use it as an herbal remedy for your sunburn. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties when used both internally and topically, so it can help to reduce the redness and irritation associated with sunburns. To use, steep chamomile tea and let it cool before applying to the skin as a poultice, or fill a spray bottle with the cold tea and apply as needed. Chamomile is also a great ingredient to use if you’re making a post-sun infused oil or salve.
Calendula
Calendula is another herb that is often used to treat skin inflammation and irritation, and it can often be found combined with other ingredients in skin-healing topical treatments. It has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties that make it effective for treating sunburns, and you may have it growing in your garden already. Calendula is best made into a salve or infused oil and applied directly to the skin.
Lavender
Most people have lavender essential oil at home or have planted lavender to grow in their garden. It’s a great remedy to have on hand for summer because it’s medicinal uses are incredibly versatile, and the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties in lavender can help to reduce the discomfort associated with sunburns.
Lavender essential oil is one of the few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin. That being said, if you’re applying it to skin experiencing irritation, such as a sunburn, we suggest diluting the essential oil into a carrier, such as coconut oil or aloe vera gel, and then applying.
You can use lavender flowers fresh from your garden as an after-sun remedy by brewing a strong tea with them and applying the cooled tea to your skin. Once brewed, you can store your herbal tea in the fridge for several days.
Herbal After Sun Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of chamomile flower
1 teaspoon of calendula flower
1/2 cup of aloe vera gel
10-15 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions:
Combine 1 tsp of chamomile flower and 1 tsp of calendula flower in 1/2 cup of hot water.
Let the mixture cool and strain the tea.
Add 1/2 cup of aloe vera gel and 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil to the tea liquid and combine evenly.
Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and use as needed. Your after-sun spray can be stored in the fridge for several days, and using it cold from the fridge can feel amazing on a hot sunburn.