calamine

Via: Charlotte Alternative Medicine Examiner

If you spend a little too much time in the sun without properly shielding your delicate skin, there are a variety of all natural remedies to help heal and soothe the damaged areas.

* A compress dipped in a homemade cooling mix will help calm the sting. Try a mixture of 1 part skim milk or 1 part baking soda with 4 parts cold water.

* Make a mixture of equal parts cornstarch and water and apply directly to the skin.

* Use raw vegetable slices to cool and soothe. Apply thin slices of cold cucumbers, potatoes or apples to the affected area.

* Boil lettuce in water. Strain and refrigerate the water for several hours. Later, use cotton balls to blot the cooled water onto the burned skin.

* Apply plain, cold yogurt to the skin and then rinse it off with a cool shower.

* Apply calamine or calendula oil to calm the burning sensation, reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.

* Natural aloe vera has soothing properties that cool on contact and aids in the healing process.

* Comfrey contains allantoin, an active ingredient that stimulates cell regeneration. It is available as a juice and a lotion.

* Green tea bags can be applied to the eyelids to reduce swelling and inflammation associated with overexposure to the sun.

Full Story

Via:  Tampabays10.com

Tampa, Florida – Summertime means heading outdoors, but outdoor activities come with more accidents and injuries. As many people move toward a green lifestyle, over-the-counter remedies may not be the answer for them.

Anne Champion, the health and beauty manager at the Village Health Market in South Tampa, can answer often asked questions for every day ailments.

“I personally use natural products and my children were raised on it. They do work. I feel better, I feel my system is healthier. I think that’s what people are looking for, that healthy alternative,” says Champion.

While many products are problem-specific, some are multi-purpose. Champion’s list of must haves for a natural first aid kit include: Calendula for burns, scrapes and skin irritations.

For muscle soreness, strains or bruising, Ann recommends Arnica. Champion says it is one of their most popular homeopathic remedies in the store.

Tiger Balm patches on sore areas help aching muscles.

For skin irritations, Champion says to use good old Calamine. “It’s zinc-based [and] helps any bacteria on the skin. [It] also helps with relief of any itching.”

A bottle of Aloe Gel is another first aid essential but Champion suggests keeping it as pure as possible. “Sun burns, gums, any type of surgery need for healing, insect bites, you name it can be used for it.”

Ann swears by Tea Tree Oil. She even takes it on vacations. Champion says it is an antiseptic, a natural antiseptic, it’s antibacterial and an antifungal.

Anne says to be patient; some natural products can take longer to work. “It’s not just putting on the band-aid or quick fix but on a deeper level. I think people are looking for that. It’s more healing that way and you get better results that way.”

Isabel Mascareñas, Tampa Bay’s 10 News