Natural Cures for Summertime Bug Bites and Sunburns

When we think of summer it's hard not to picture: cook-outs, swimming pools, ice-cold lemonade, camp fires, and sleep-outs under the stars! Don't let bug bites and sunshine interfere with your family fun! Here are a few of our favorite home remedies to prevent & cure those itchy bites and painful sunburns.

tea tree

Insect Bites

Prevention

• Natural repellents
• Citronella (candles).
• Calendula, cedar, eucalyptus, and/or tea tree [pictured, right] oil in a candle, oil diffuser, spray, ointment or lotion.
• Edible prevention: eat foods rich in Thiamin (Vitamin B1) like fish, brown rice, molasses and wheat germ before spending time outside to avoid mosquito bites.
• Avoid
• Eating refined sugar (which makes skin give off a sweet smell that attracts mosquitos).
• Perfume, hairspray and other scented cosmetics

Treatment

• For ant, mosquito or mite bites, wash the area with soap and water. Next, apply a paste made of baking soda and water. If the bite is on a limb, elevate the limb to minimize swelling.
• Rub a cut onion on an insect bite for a powerful antioxidant treatment.

Sunburn

Prevention

• Wear sunblock (at least SPF 15) and minimize sun exposure during peak hours (10am - 3pm).

Treatment

• Aloe vera gel. Choose a brand without any mineral oil, waxes, alcohol or coloring.
• Calendula salve

• Herbal bath to minimize stinging and pain of a sunburn.
• Add 6 cups of chamomile tea or 6 drops of chamomile oil to a lukewarm tubful of water. Soak in the bath for about 30 minutes.
• Lavender oil can be used in place of camomile in this treatment.
• For more immediate relief, use a cool compress. Alternatively, dissolve one pound of baking soda in a tubful of water and soak in the bath for about 30 minutes.
• Drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate
• Edible treatment
• Eat high-protein foods for tissue repair
• Eat raw fruits and vegetables to supply vitamins and minerals for healing

[Camomile Flowers]