I have a confession, I used to be a bit of a heliophobe. That's right, afraid of too much sunlight. I don't know where it came from as a child, but recall one family vacation as a teenager, walking down the boardwalk on the Jersey shore, my family making fun of me. While they were all dressed for the hot summer weather, I had added a hat, long sleeves, and a towel over my shoulders. I was off course, wearing sunscreen.
I'm also someone who has a lot of moles and freckles and was always told by doctors that this meant I had a much higher risk of developing skin cancer. Somehow this sinking feeling of always having to be on guard, watching for irregular borders, any changes in mole patterns, engendered me with a worrysome avoidance of the sun.
As I matured, learned more about natural health and the importance of sunlight and Vitamin D, I was able to outgrow my sun avoidance, coming into a more balanced view.
Now, as a wholistic health expert, I recommend that people make sure to get health sun exposure as well as time outdoors with the healing influences of nature.
I'm also someone who has a lot of moles and freckles and was always told by doctors that this meant I had a much higher risk of developing skin cancer. Somehow this sinking feeling of always having to be on guard, watching for irregular borders, any changes in mole patterns, engendered me with a worrysome avoidance of the sun.
As I matured, learned more about natural health and the importance of sunlight and Vitamin D, I was able to outgrow my sun avoidance, coming into a more balanced view.
Now, as a wholistic health expert, I recommend that people make sure to get health sun exposure as well as time outdoors with the healing influences of nature.
Living in Japan for a few years, I saw how many Asian women went to extremes to avoid sun exposure, this time not for fear of sun cancer, but because in the Japanese culture esthetic where white porcelin skin is considered an ideal of female beauty.
| 
|
These days I make sure to get a healthy amount of sun exposure, although I'm still careful about my good 'ol nose getting too burnt, and you'll often find me in one of Portland's many parks getting some earth and sun time.
This past week, during one such glorious lying on the ground times, I over did it a bit. Has this ever happened to you? You're sitting with a friend, enjoying the conversation and time just seems to slip away. Before you know it, there's that tender, uncomfortable foreboding feeling coming from your dermis and you know you're going to be hurting.
That sunny day, knowing I'd overdone it, I came home, gave myself a Chinese herbal formula and acupuncture treatment geared towards 'Clearing Heat" and spent the next two days slathering myself in aloe and clay.
While prevention is always the best medicine, I wanted to share some ideas for treating any sunburns you and your skin may encounter while enjoying the love of Nature this summer.
This past week, during one such glorious lying on the ground times, I over did it a bit. Has this ever happened to you? You're sitting with a friend, enjoying the conversation and time just seems to slip away. Before you know it, there's that tender, uncomfortable foreboding feeling coming from your dermis and you know you're going to be hurting.
That sunny day, knowing I'd overdone it, I came home, gave myself a Chinese herbal formula and acupuncture treatment geared towards 'Clearing Heat" and spent the next two days slathering myself in aloe and clay.
While prevention is always the best medicine, I wanted to share some ideas for treating any sunburns you and your skin may encounter while enjoying the love of Nature this summer.
Aloe for Sunburn
Aloe is a commonly discussed plant remedy for sunburn. The nature of the plant is cooling while nourishing the skin. This helps to combat the heat of a sunburn and relieve the hot ache, especially at the onset of a burn.
To really get the healing effect, you need to use the actual fresh plant and not a store bought gel, which tend to contain small amounts of processed aloe along with whatever else they decide to put in there.
I keep a pet aloe friend around just for such occasions and thanked him for his contribution this week. This one "leaf" lasted me several days. You can keep the opened leaf in the fridge if you like to extend its time and keep it fresh.
Using clean hands, gently open the leaf and use your finger to scrape out the squishy gel and liquid and apply to burn areas. If you tend to have super sensitive skin to begin with, you may want to do a test patch on some unaffected to skin to check that there's not irritation.
To really get the healing effect, you need to use the actual fresh plant and not a store bought gel, which tend to contain small amounts of processed aloe along with whatever else they decide to put in there.
I keep a pet aloe friend around just for such occasions and thanked him for his contribution this week. This one "leaf" lasted me several days. You can keep the opened leaf in the fridge if you like to extend its time and keep it fresh.
Using clean hands, gently open the leaf and use your finger to scrape out the squishy gel and liquid and apply to burn areas. If you tend to have super sensitive skin to begin with, you may want to do a test patch on some unaffected to skin to check that there's not irritation.
Lavender for Burns
Lavender is another heavy hitter for burns and this included burns of any kind, not just sunburn. Use pure lavender oil from a quality source and apply over the affected skin.
Essential Oils for Sunburn
Essential oils and blends can also be a helpful companion for sunburns. Cool natured oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus can be used, especially at first to "vent the heat" as their herb properties are cooling and aromatic.
Chamomile and calendula add soothing, calming properties to your blend and do well mixed with aloe or in the yogurt based lotion below.
Chamomile and calendula add soothing, calming properties to your blend and do well mixed with aloe or in the yogurt based lotion below.
Yogurt Sunburn Remedy
Yogurt (and dairy products in general) have a cooling nature and can soothe sunburned skin. Use yogurt by itself, or combine it with a few drops of lavender oil and aloe for a refreshing skin soother.
Chinese Herbs for Sunburn
Naturally, that burning sensation on the skin and our Rudolph like noses keep us focusing many sunburn solutions on the skin itself, but more systemic treatments can help your body heal faster and nix and residual lingering symptoms, speeding your recovery.
Acupuncture can be very helpful at "releasing heat" from the system and can relieve the general fatigue and malaise often present after a major sun exposure.
There are several Chinese herbal formulas for "clearing heat", like the one I described taking above and this is an excellent course of action if you can get into see your herbalist within a day or so of a major sunburn.
Chinese medical herbalism is quite a specific modality and so I won't list any specific recommendations of formulas here. This type of herbalism is serious medicine and needs to be used under the guidance of a medically trained herbalist.
Especially if you've had some above average, serious sunburn that includes large areas of your body, I recommend following up with more systemic treatment.
I hope you've found some useful tips and I'm wishing you a wonderful summer in the sunshine!!
Acupuncture can be very helpful at "releasing heat" from the system and can relieve the general fatigue and malaise often present after a major sun exposure.
There are several Chinese herbal formulas for "clearing heat", like the one I described taking above and this is an excellent course of action if you can get into see your herbalist within a day or so of a major sunburn.
Chinese medical herbalism is quite a specific modality and so I won't list any specific recommendations of formulas here. This type of herbalism is serious medicine and needs to be used under the guidance of a medically trained herbalist.
Especially if you've had some above average, serious sunburn that includes large areas of your body, I recommend following up with more systemic treatment.
I hope you've found some useful tips and I'm wishing you a wonderful summer in the sunshine!!
Leslie Huddart, L.Ac., M.A.O.M.
** These recommendations are for educational purposes, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease. ** They'll empower you to take charge of your health just the same :)
Photo Credits: beach scene: Michael Bentley, Lavendar: Juuyoh Tanaka
RSS Feed