Natural Sunburn Remedies

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The clear, thick, juice of Aloe Vera is incredibly soothing.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Did You Know ?

• Sunlight is necessary for all of life.
• The sun's ultraviolet rays help to convert the cholesterol in your skin into Vitamin D.
• Sunlight enhances your mental outlook and "makes your world look bright!"
• However: Too much sun produces wrinkles, damages DNA, and can eventually cause skin cancer.

Symptoms

Sunburn usually covers a large area of the body and does not become obvious until hours after exposure.

First Degree Burns: The skin turns pink or red and feels hot and tight. At night the skin burns with intensity.

Second Degree Burns: Blistering may last for a day or two, then damaged skin peels away in sheets. Other indicators of second degree sunburns are: Headaches. Restlessness. Fatigue. Sleeplessness.

Sunstroke May Require Hospitalization: Primary symptoms are: Serious headaches. Nausea. Fever. Extensive burns can cause dehydration and inability to sweat. If you or your loved ones have these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Causes

Ultraviolet Radiation: The sun's UV rays burn the skin and are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (avoid prolonged exposures during these times). Snow, sand, and water reflect the UV rays in multiple directions which causes further burning.

Sun Damage destroys the skin's connective tissues and the DNA in skin cells. Please note: DNA damage is a first step towards skin cancer.

Melanin in the skin produces the brown pigment and is activated by the UV rays. Melanin protects the skin from damage. People with fair skin have less melanin and often burn easily.

Natural Remedies

Hydration: First and foremost, drink plenty of water to help your body cool down. Avoid alcoholic beverages as they cause dehydration.

Nutrition: To heal burns and make your skin resistant to burning eat plenty of essential fatty acids such as flax seed oil, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.

High Protein Foods will help repair skin cells. Bananas, potatoes, tomatoes and salmon will help balance the water levels in your body.

Smoothies

Cold Fruit Smoothies: To cool down your body and help repair damaged or burned skin cells, try my favourite smoothie. Grind a tablespoon each of flax, chia, and raw pumpkin seeds (I use a coffee grinder).

Pour the ground seeds into a blender. Add 6 oz cold water and blend for 10 seconds. Add frozen bananas, frozen blueberries, and other fresh fruit of your choice. Blend for 30 seconds, serve, and enjoy this healthy, energizing and 'totally cool' drink.

Supplements

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene promote overall skin health and renew damaged skin.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E relieve pain and help you heal. Vitamin C prevents infections. Vitamin E prevents scarring. Break open a capsule of Vitamin E and apply the oil directly to burned areas.

Herbal Medicines

Squeeze the juice of Aloe Vera directly onto burned areas.
Photo courtesy "ER and Jenny" at Wikimedia Commons

Aloe Vera: Soothes pain. Speeds healing. Prevents scarring. Perhaps the best natural remedy for sunburn. Use the fresh plant or 100% Aloe Vera gel. To prevent burning, apply to skin before exposure to the sun.

Herbal Poultices: Plantain leaves, comfrey root and horsetail poultices promote healing and rejuvenate damaged skin.

Rose Hip Tea is rich in Vitamin C and helps repair skin cells.

Green Tea is high in antioxidants. Helps prevent skin damage and protects the skin from harmful UV rays.

Blisters and Slow Healing

Blisters: Use Natural Oils and Cremes. Mix your own or purchase cremes that are already made. Tea Tree Oil and St. John's Wort promote scarless healing.

For Lingering Burns: Make your own salve. Mix 1 tsp of Calendula Tincture with same parts honey and rye flour. Apply 3 - 5 times daily.

The Cayenne Infusion: Improve circulation and promote healing. Stir 1/2 tsp cayenne powder into 1 cup boiling water. Dilute 1 tbsp of this mix in one cup hot water and sip slowly.

Physical Therapies

A Cool Bath: To prevent wrinkling and damaged skin, take a cool bath or cool shower after sunbathing.

For Severe Sunburns: Add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to your bath. Also helpful is a "cool starch bath". Add one pound of cornstarch to a tub full of water.

Prevent Sunburn

Your Body's Natural Oils are the best protection against the sun's harmful rays. Therefore, do not bath before suntanning. Instead, take a quick cool shower (without soap).

To Encourage Tanning and avoid sunburns, accustom your skin to the sun slowly. This will allow your body to produce the melanin that gives color to your skin.

Alcohol etc: During exposure to hot sun avoid drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as they cause dehydration.

The Healing Powers of Water

Hydrate Wisely: During extreme heat and exposure to direct sun your body loses 8 ounces of water per hour. Drink ample water so your body can cool down and remain fully hydrated.

To Help Cure Sunburn and Other Ailments: Treat yourself and your loved ones to the Healing Wisdom that is shared in ...

The Sunrise Water Cure !