Soothe Sunburn with Nature's Pharmacy

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From grade school through high school, I lounged by the swimming pool all summer, soaking up the sun. In college, I played the bass fiddle and guitar at several beaches during the summer. All that sun exposure placed me at considerable risk for skin cancer, and I've endured the consequences. I've already had a patch of cancer removed, and other blemishes have appeared that soon will need attention.

I've learned my lesson. Now, whenever I know I'll be in the sun, I use sunscreen and wear long-sleeved shirts, and sometimes don lightweight gloves and a broad-brimmed hat.

Given that I frequently travel to the Amazon, all of this protection is essential. And although I do what I can to keep the sun off, I seem to get sunburned even when I'm all covered. Still, it's worth the effort to protect myself, and I'd urge you to do the same.

GREEN PHARMACY FOR SUNBURN

As burns go, most sunburns are comparatively mild. But sunburns cover more of the body than most everyday burns. In addition to increasing cancer risk, they can be quite painful. Fortunately, nature has provided us with several good remedies.

Tea (Camellia sinensis). In China, it is often recommended to apply cooled black tea to the skin to soothe sunburn. That makes sense to file because of several beneficial chemical compounds tea contains.

One researcher I know says the tannic acid and theobromine in tea help remove heat from sunburn. Other compounds in tea, called catechins, help prevent and repair skin damage and may even help prevent chemical and radiation-induced skit) cancers. The latest studies show green tea is high in chemicals called polyphenols. When ingested, these chemicals help protect the skin against damage from the harmful ultraviolet radiation in Sunlight that causes sunburn.

It's better to avoid sunburn than endure the aftereffects. But if you do spend too much time in the sun, soothe the bum by sipping iced green tea. Apply cool tea compresses to any areas of skin that have been overexposed.

Aloe (Aloe vera). The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf has been shown to speed the healing of radiation-induced burns. Scoop the gel directly from split leaves or buy commercially prepared gel at a health food store or herb shop. Apply aloe gel after showering, then reapply it a few more times each day until the pain has subsided, suggests cardiac surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Robert D. Willix of Boca Raton, Florida. Usually, he says, the redness disappears in a day or two and the skin does not peel.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus). The cool cucumber is often used for soothing burns, says ethnobotanist Albert Leung, Ph.D. Simply slice open a cucumber and wipe it directly on your skin.