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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Sunburn destroys skin cells, most tans are the end result of a series of slow burns which dry out the skin and leave it tough and leathery.   

This summer be more considerate to yourself and family. Wear a hat and loose clothing for protection, shield your skin with healthy home-made sunscreen protection and, should the unavoidable occur and you do become burnt, pamper the afflicated area.

Mother nature may come to your rescue. We've collected a number of old-fashioned recipes that were in vogue before the rush of modern preparations - they are easy to make, use simple household ingredients and should be fun to concoct. Remember, easy does it in the sun.

Although, avoid getting sucked in by the hype that sunlight is dangerous -- excessive exposure and burning is what is bad for you. A moderate amount of sunning each day is vital to allow the body to manufacture vitamin D, which  is required for good health. For individuals who are house-bound because of ill health or perhaps are in a nursing home, a daily dose of sun not only bolsters spirits but vitality as well. Seasonal affective disorder--also known as the winter blues or cabin fever--is one example of how a sun deficiency can make people feel depressed and drowsy. Recent studies also suggest sunlight deprivation may actually increase the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancer. (Studzinski, G.P. & Moore, D.C. "Sunlight--Can it prevent as well as cause cancer?" Cancer Res).

Remember too that humans evolved under the sun, living mostly outdoors, and we have developed natural adaptations. How can it be that we evolved as outdoor creatures, and yet it's only in the last few generations that we have a serious skin cancer problem -- perhaps it is the sunscreens that is causing this increase?

Most sunscreens are toxic.

Check sunscreen labels ( even natural brands ) avoid the following ...

diethylphthaltate (which may cause liver and kidney damage and reduce fertility)
4-Methyl-Benzylindencamphor
Oxybenzone
Cotyl-Methoxy-Cinnamates (OMC)
Octyl-Dimethyl-Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (OD-PABA)
Homosalate (HMS)
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

For further research visit:
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=%2Findex.php

www.sunscreenresearch.com.

Use the list below to ascertain whether or not you think you might be at high risk when in the sun of developing cancer and take relevant and adequate precautions:

Family history - particularly two or more members being affected by any type of cancer.

Fair skin and / or light eyes

Chronic exposure to the sun

Personal history - if you have had skin cancer then you are at high risk of getting it again

Unusual looking moles, especially those with irregular edges, raised or ones which change shape, colour or start to itch.

Lots of ordinary looking moles and / or freckles

Weakened immune system

Past experiences of severe blistering sunburn, especially during childhood

Medications - use of some medications and herbs can increase sun sensitivity, requiring an even higher vigilance against UV rays.

These include: certain antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline, sulphur drugs); psoralen compounds for treating psoriasis; thiazide diuretics(Diuril, Hydrodiuril); tricyclic antidepressants; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen); some high blood pressure medications; certain acne medications; oral contraceptives; herbs such as St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), angelica (Angelica archangelica), and lomatium (Lomatium dissectum). Also, if you use citrus-base essential oils such as bergamont, orange, lemon or lime, they are contra-indicated on the skin before sun exposure. They can cause skin-sensitisation to the sun.

Be aware that reflections of the sun from snow, ice, sand, water and even concrete reflect up to 100% UV radiation and that cloudy days offer little or no protection from UVB.

If you need to use a sunscreen the following homemade recipes are easy to prepare.

Cucumber Sun Screen

1 small cucumber
1/2 teaspoon glycerine
1/2 teaspon rose water

Peel and chop cucumber. Squeeze out juice. Mix with glycerine and rose water. Cucumbers are a time-honoured protection against the sun.

Sun Cream

110 g ( 4 oz) yoghurt
6 tablespoons water dispersable lecithin
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons safflower oil
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons sunflower seed oil
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon potato flour

Blend until smooth.

Sun Oil - Low Protection

2 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 1/2 tablespoons virgin organic coconut oil
4 teaspoons grapeseed oil
20 drops petitgrain essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil

Mix these ingredients together, store in a glass bottle and apply liberally before you go out into the sun and every half hour to hour that you are exposed to the sun.

Sunblock

2.5oz (70ml)  sesame oil
1.5oz( 40ml) cocoa oil
1/2oz( 15ml)  beeswax - grated
4oz (100ml)  distilled water
2tbsp (30ml)  zinc oxide (available from a herbalist)
25 drops grapefruit seed extract as a preservative, available from healthfood stores.

Melt the oils and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. Remove from the heat.
Add the water and mix with an electric blender until thick and creamy.
Add the zinc oxide and grapefruit seed extract.
Keeps for 6 months in a sealed jar

After Sun Oil

5 ml jojoba oil
5 ml sesame oil
5 ml evening primrose oil
13 ml almond oil
5 drops chamomile essential oil
5 drops geranium essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix together and apply liberally after exposure to the sun. It makes rather a thick oil, but is effective in the drying conditions of the sun.

If you spend a lot of time in the sun, be sure to eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C such as citus fruits, rosehips, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, apples, capsicum (bell pepper), blackcurrant, blueberries, cranberries, cherry, guava, goji berries, sapote, and kiwi fruit. Your diet should also include foods with a high vitamin B content -  choose from, organic eggs, lean meat, poultry, and unrefined organic cereals. Carrots are thought to be effective against sunburn - if you eat raw carrots before sun exposure you may not be so badly burnt.

To prevent burning - gradually increase your exposure to the sun safely, keep out of the sun when it is at its highest and protect yourself on the outside with light loose clothing, hats and shade and on the inside by a health-giving diet rich in antioxidants.

Even before there was a hole in the ozone layer, going to the seashore could leave you sea-sore, so if  the unavoidable occurs. The following home remedies from the kitchen and garden can help minimise the damage you have already done.

We will say again that the surest way to keep your risk of skin cancer to a minimum is NOT TO BURN.

Remedies to Relieve Sunburn - to be used externally:

Peel, grate and squeeze the juice of a cucumber. Mix it with ½ teaspoon each of glycerine and rose water. Apply to sunburn.

Thinly sliced pieces of raw cucumber, potato or apple can be placed on sunburned areas such as the forearm. The coolness from the vegetables is soothing and might help reduce inflammation.

The mashed pulp or juice of a cucumber.

Raw grated potato or potato juice.

Nettle or sage tea.

Strong solution of any ordinary tea. The tannic acid and theobromine in tea help remove heat from sunburn.

Brew enough tea bags to cover a considerable area of the sunburn and ice down to get the tea really cold. Place the cold, wet tea bags and/or a cloth drenched in the tea over the affected area, keeping the bags and cloths cold. If you can submurge the burnt part of the body, do so into the tea. Do this for at least one hour as often as you can (3 or so times per day) until it fades. This works for second and third degree burns as well and will prohibit scarring! The tea works as an antioxidant and pulls the heat out of your body. It stops the pain temporarily also.

Beaten egg white, combined with one teaspoon honey and 1/2 teaspoon witch hazel.

Combine tablespoon each of witch hazel, olive oil and glycerine.

A few chamomile flowers boiled gently in 1/4 litre milk will also cool and soften a sun-damaged skin.

Ripe tomatoes.

Vinegar, apply in spray bottle to sunburnt area and let air dry.

Equal parts of vinegar and olive oil.

Paste made from laundry starch and water, or baking soda and water.

Apple cider vinegar compress.

Comfrey leaf water or marshmallow root water.

Yoghurt diluted with lemon juice.

Rice water or seaweed.

Infusions of elderflowers, salad burnet or lettuce.

Boil some lettuce in water, then strain, let the liquid cool for a few hours in the refrigerator before applying to your skin with cotton balls.

White wine or buttermilk compresses will neutralise the effets of excessive sun.

Wheat germ oil has a soothing effect and when liberally applied will ease the pain of sunburn sufficiently to permit you to sleep. Much of the burning sensation will have disappeared  upon awakening. Re-apply oil generously if burn is still uncomfortable. Stay out of the sun for a day or two.

The simplest, most effective method to heal a sunburn is to take a leaf of aloe vera, split it down the centre and apply to the sunburn -- bind it loosely. Or scoop out the gel, mix with a bit of water for easier application and simply spread it over the sunburn.

Aloe Vera Fire Cooler

Take 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel, macerate with 2 tablespoons comfrey root water and 2 tablespoons castor oil. Add one tablespoon vitamin C and 1 tablespoon vitamim E oil. Mix together until thoroughly blended and apply to the sunburn.

Beat together 2 egg whites and the juice of 2 lemons until the mixture is of a consistency to pour from a spoon. Place in warm oven for 1/4 hour. Gently pat on skin when cool.

If burn becomes infected or ulcerous, compresses or poultices of fresh marigold petals or leaves will help heal the scars.

Nothing stated here should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. This page is for informational and educational purposes only, and is simply a collection of information in the public domain. Information conveyed herein is based on pharmacological and other records - both ancient and modern. No claims whatsoever can be made as to the specific benefits accruing from the use of any herb or nutrients.