Scents'N'Sensibility - Fun in the Sun - Enjoying Yourself, Protecting Yourself

Scents & Sensibility Newsletter - Volume II - Issue 15 - June 27, 2001

Fun in the Sun - Enjoying Yourself, Protecting Yourself

First, apologies for our long hiatus this month from producing a newsletter. We can offer no excuse except that, up until a couple of days ago, the weather in Mendocino has been spectacular and we continue to grow more and more of our own herbal ingredients, the call from the garden has been loud and persistent and well, in a word, unrelenting. Happily, the weather has chosen to grace our stretch of coast line with a few days of rain and thus the opportunity to write, at last.

The ravages of excessive sun on the skin are well documented and with this issue, we intend to focus on some simple and effective herbal remedies for sunburn. Please take note of the possible grades or severity of sunburn with a 1st degree burn being any redness of the skin; a 2nd degree burn includes water filled blisters along with the redness and a third degree burn involves deep tissue damage to the underlying cells below the dermis causing fluid release and possible breaks in the skin allowing bacteria and infections. It is important to see a physician in the event of the latter.

Simple Herbal Sunburn Remedies

Taking the heat out of the burn is the first and foremost thing to do in utilizing any of the following remedies, and applying or rubbing ice over a sunburn for just a few minutes can do wonders to stop the painful and harmful progression of the burn. Follow that with a few drops of neat lavender oil and the burn should be significantly reduced by the next day. Pure tea tree oil can also help burns and provide quick and instant relief from heat rash and sunburnt skin. Also try the following:

For 1st degree burns

2 TBS of distilled witch hazel
15-20 drops pure tea tree oil
Shake vigorously then apply to the affected area.

2 OZ of almond oil or jojoba
2 TBS of sesame oil (a natural sun filter)
10 drops of lavender
5 drops of chamomile
1 drop of bergamot
2 drops of geranium

Olive or grapeseed oil infused with St John's Wort
Simply fill a jar with St John's Wort and fill with the oil and cover. Keep it handy for all minor burns and sunburn.

For 2nd degree burns

2 TBS of Calamine lotion
20 drops of tea tree oil
10 drops of lavender
Blend them together and shake well and apply to the blistered areas. This will help dry up the blisters while at the same time soothe and cool the area. For children use slightly less tea tree oil, say 5 to 10 drops.

For 3rd degree burns

Immediately see a physician. Applying ice and perhaps tea tree oil may offer some relief in the interim but is not a substitute for medical care.

Our next issue will be about sunblocks, the controversy surrounding PABA, (yes there is always a controversy) and herbal alternatives. In the meantime, enjoy the sun but do be careful not to overdue it.