Soothe Sunburn with Nature's Pharmacy

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Calendula (Calendula officinalis). Research shows calendula flowers speed the healing of burns by stimulating the growth of new skin cells, closing wounds and reducing inflammation. You can buy commercial skin creams containing calendula at many health food stores.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) has a folk reputation as a sunburn treatment. It actually contains compounds Australians use for the treatment of skin cancers. If you get a sunburn, there's probably no reason why you shouldn't try applying some mashed eggplant to your skin to see if it will help soothe the bum. It might not look very pretty, but I imagine it would help cool you down.

Plantain (Plantago, various species). The late Alabama folk herbalist Tommie Bass used plantain for sunburn, stings, poison ivy and poison oak. And he was right, since plantain contains allantoin, a proven healer of injured skin cells.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). In one study, researchers compared three sunburn treatments: witch hazel, I percent hydrocortisone and chamomile cream. Hydrocortisone was more effective than witch hazel, which in turn was more effective than the chamomile. Still, the witch hazel worked pretty well, and it's free where I come from. You can buy a commercial solution and apply it straight from the bottle in a compress. Or combine 1 teaspoon of witch hazel with 1 teaspoon of honey and a beaten egg white. You can also try a mixture of 1 tablespoon each of witch hazel, olive oil and glycerin.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

In my database, vitamin E (tocopherol) is the nutrient most cited for anti-sunbum activity. You might want to try a cream containing vitamin E to soothe sunburned skin. One study showed selenomethionine, a natural amino acid, reduces the skin damage caused by sunburn. Selenomethionine is effective applied to the skin and taken orally. Dr. Karen Burke of Cabrini Medical Center in New York City recommends taking 100 micrograms a day during the summer months, and suggests 200 micrograms a day for anyone with a family history of cancer. (Brazil nuts are particularly rich in this nutrient.) The most effective course of action is to prevent sun abuse in the first place. But if you do overindulge, consider giving nature a chance to help you heal. One of the world's leading authorities on herbal healing, James Duke is author of The Green Pharmacy. Active in rain forest preservation, he leads ecotours in the Amazon.
Contact him at jduke@fathernaturesfarmacy.com.

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