By Dr. Stephanie Auerbach
With summer in full swing, sunburns and bug bites are an all too common occurrence. Here are some options for natural and easy to use home remedies that will help alleviate any discomfort and accelerate the healing process. But don’t hesitate to be seen by a medical professional if an injury is more severe or doesn’t seem to be healing properly.
Burns
Topical Burn/Sunburn Spray – This “spray” will go through a spray nozzle if prepared as such, or can be placed in a regular tincture bottle and applied via a cotton ball. When no such formula is available, the topical use of honey or egg whites is both pain relieving and healing.
Aloe vera gel ½ oz
Hypericum tincture ½ oz
Lavender essential oil 10 drops
Place the above in a 2 oz spray bottle and pray on burned skin every 30 minutes.
Kitchen Remedies for Burns
Egg whites – Since they are usually stored in the refrigerator, egg whites are cold and soothing for burns, plus the sterile proteins and other compounds help promote healing.
Honey – Honey applied topically is a natural bandage, promotes healing, and smothers any aerobic opportunistic bacteria.
Onion Juice – Onions are rich in quercitin and other immune modulating compounds. Place sliced onion directly against the skin or mince and place the pulp against the skin.
Bites
Poultices – Mix a small amount of bentonite clay or activated charcoal powder with a few drops of water to form a paste and spread over affected area, cover with a dry bandage. This will help to draw out any toxins or microbes within the bite/lesion. Calendula powder can also be combined to the mix for an added soothing affect, or applied separately in a cream or salve.
Spray To Alleviate Itching of the Skin – This simple all-purpose spray can help relieve itching due to hives, mosquito bites, dermatitis, and healing wounds and burns.
Mentha (peppermint) essential oil 5 ml
Water 25 ml
Place in a 1 ounce bottle and spray on affected area as needed.
Abrasions
Calendula Succus – Calendula is a first-aid kit staple. Calendula enhances circulation and connective tissue regeneration in the dermis (deeper layers of the skin). A succus has lower alcohol content than a tincture and is made from fresh juice. Calendula succus is unlikely to sting very much when topically applied. Use a dropperful of succus on a sterile gauze pad and apply topically, repeating each hour until the wound has scabbed over.
