Natural sunburn relief recipes

-by Debra Anchors

Often we are so excited to be outside enjoying summer’s activities that we forget to protect our skin.  What may start out as a relaxing afternoon in the garden can turn into a night of tender, painful sunburn.

To alleviate the discomfort of red and inflamed skin, try the following recipes.  To determine your skin’s sensitivity, perform a “patch test”, first.  The ingredients in these natural home remedies are fresh and unpreserved so can be unpredictable on an individual basis.  Always use clean equipment and ingredients that have been thoroughly washed.  Remember to discard each of these recipes after the amount of time specified.



Rosemary-Oatmeal Sunburn Bath:

Sunburn not only hurts, it also tightens the skin and causes itching.  This rosemary bath is a treatment for the entire body, provides a soothing effect, and reduces overall body pain.  The oatmeal, with moisturizing vitamins B and E, relieves itching and irritation due to dryness; the black tea, used in many sunburn treatments, helps cool the body and draw the heat away. This bath is recommended for use at least once a day for the first few days after becoming sunburned.

  1 cucumber
  4 cups oatmeal
10 black tea bags
  2 tablespoons rosemary leaves

Puree the cucumber in a blender.  In a mixing bowl, combine the cucumber with all other ingredients and stir until mixed.  The mixture will be slightly dry.  With warm water running, empty the mixture into the bath, right under the faucet.  Let the mixture disperse in water as the bath fills.  Soak in the bath for up to 1 hour, if possible.  Use several times daily, as needed.  Try this method immediately after being sunburned.  Makes enough for 1 bath.

Lemon Oolong Tea Sunburn Treatment:

Once again, tea comes to the rescue of sunburn pain and swelling.  This treatment helps the skin heal faster and feel better more quickly.  Oolong, a fermented tea that is not as dark as black tea, brings consistent relief from the pain and blistering caused by sunburn. Oats contain soothing vitamins B and E, cucumber and lemon are refreshers, and vinegar also acts as a soothing agent.  Use this as often as necessary throughout the first 24 hours after overexposure to the sun.

3-½ cups water
6 Oolong tea bags
1-tablespoon quick rolled oats
½ cup chopped cucumber (do not peel)
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Bring 3 cups of the water to a boil and immerse all 6 Oolong tea bags; remove from heat and let steep for ½ hour; let cool and remove the tea bags.  In a small bowl, combine ½ cup water with oatmeal and stir together until mixed; strain mixture through a paper towel, saving liquid and discarding oats.  In a blender, mix 1 tablespoon of the oatmeal liquid together with cucumber, lemon extract, and vinegar.  Blend on medium speed for 1 minute, or until pureed.  Strain mixture through a paper towel, saving liquid.  In a bowl, stir together strained liquid and liquid tea.  Saturate a cloth or towel with the solution and place it on any sunburned areas for 15 minutes.  Reapply if necessary until skin begins to feel relief.  To help reduce blistering, this treatment must be applied immediately after burning. Discard after use.

Black Tea Sunburn Treatment Masque:

This creamy, smooth masque will coat sunburned skin and provide first aid with soothing, healing relief.  Grapes are a natural soothing agent, bringing relief and healing to the skin from vitamins A and C.  In this recipe they help to reduce redness and inflammation of the shoulders, neck, and legs.  The cucumber and baking soda act as soothing agents as well, and the black tea serves to heal.

1 black tea bag
1-cup water
8 seedless grapes
½ cucumber, chopped (do not peel)
1-teaspoon baking soda

Steep tea bag in 1 cup boiling water.  Remove from heat and let cool; remove the tea bag.  In a blender, mix tea with other ingredients on low speed for 20 seconds, or until smooth.  Apply to affected areas (this masque is not intended for the entire body, just specific zones, including shoulders, neck, backs of knees, thighs).  Let sit for 25 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.  Cover and refrigerate immediately; discard after 4 days.  Makes 1 cup.

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-Debra

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