Sun-Kissed Skin Saver: Refreshing Herbal Sunburn Relief
As we near summer temperatures, today offered a little foreshadowing of what's to come: warmer weather under a hotter sun.
Personally, I reached for this spray when temperatures soared to 80 degrees, and my exposed winter skin was in need of some TLC.
This herbal sunburn spray is first crafted as a hot infusion with a combination of healing herbs, renowned for their vulnerary properties.
By the end, it's a remedy to soothe mild sunburns, relieve itchy skin, moisturise, and cool down from the heat of the day.
It's a must-have on hand, starting now and well into the dog days of summer.
Basic Herbal Sunburn Recipe
Prepare the Tea
Boil 4 cups of water.
Add 4 tablespoons of each dried herb (either loose tea or in a tea bag) Lavender for its analgesic properties that work to numb pain, nurture the skin, and help regenerate new skin cells. Chamomile, Calendula, Comfrey, and Plantain to regenerate skin and calm and soothe red, irritated skin.
Note: When substituting fresh herbs for dried in a recipe, you generally use a ratio of 3:1. This means for every part of dried herbs required, you should use three parts of fresh herbs. So, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of dried herbs, you would use 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs to achieve a similar flavor profile.
Turn off the heat and allow the herbs to steep for at least 1 hour.
Add honey. Honey possesses antimicrobial and antioxidants, aiding in skin tissue repair and soothing inflamed skin conditions.
Add 2 tablespoons of ACV for 8 ounces of tea. ACV pulls out the heat and soothes the skin. It also helps stop the itching from other skin irritations.
Allow the tea to cool.
If using a tea bag, give the bag a final squeeze to capture all of the botanical essence. If using loose tea, strain the herbs.
Pour the cooled tea into a clean spray bottle, plastic squeeze bottle, or another container.
If you are using the reusable muslin bag supplied with our bath tea, toss the contents of the tea bag into the garden or compost. Rinse the bag and allow it to dry.
Add lavender essential oil at 2% dilution. Number of drops depends on how much sunburn spray you have in your final container. If you are using a 2 ounce container then use: 24 drops. If you are using a 4 ounce container then use: 48 drops.
Pro Tips:
> For an extra refreshing touch, pop it in the fridge to create an instant cooling sensation that will soothe hot, irritated skin.
> Double or triple the recipe to have extra tea on hand. Leftover tea can be refrigerated for 7-10 days in a clean airtight container. Avoid storing tea in aluminum containers. For longer storage, freeze the tea in small batches for up to 6 months.
> My favorite all-natural, non-tonic, zinc-based sunscreen can be found here.
If you’re interested in more natural personal care product recipes, check out my ebook: A Guide to Bath + Body Care. Inside, you'll find a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the process of making potent herbal oils and 20 essential everyday bath and body care recipes right in your own home!
