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Summer time will come up quickly and our friends from Whole Foods are sharing their great prevention and all-natural first aid tips with us.

1. Sunscreen/Sunburn

Mineral or physical suncreens are good options vs. conventional - our experts can explain the difference.

Prevention:

The basics - cover up with a hat, clothing, sunglasses and shade, re-apply sun block every few hours and remember some medications make the skin more sun sensitive

For sunburn relief:

• Peppermint oil, calendula oil or St. John’s Wort extract helps reduce body heat and promote a healthy inflammatory response; add drops to lotion or a cool bath.
• Witch hazel or green, white or black tea (brewed and cooled) contain tannins for promoting healing and a healthy inflammation response.
• Aloe vera gel (undiluted) soothes and promotes healing; look for high percentage in products.
• Lavender essential oil diluted in water or carrier oil, Vitamin E or avocado oil all promote healing.

2. Insect Bites

Prevention:

• Taking B-complex vitamins and eating garlic and onions may make skin less tasty to mosquitoes.
• Avoid floral and sweet-smelling scents, whether artificial or natural, including dryer sheets!
• Disguise your body scent and change the taste of your skin with essential oils that bugs don't like. Dilute essential oils in water or a carrier oil, then rub or spray on skin and clothes. Reapply often.
• Essential oils for mosquitoes: citronella (lemongrass), evergreen and/or eucalyptus.
• Essential oils for biting flies: lavender, basil and/or geranium.
• Neem oil and geraniol (from lavender) are effective also.
• Try a natural DEET free insect repellent such as Jason's "Quit Bugging Me" repellent spray (safe for kids)

For Relief:

• Lavender or peppermint essential oil soothe itching and promote healing; one undiluted drop on each bite.
• Garlic soothes pain; hold crushed clove on sting 20 minutes then rinse.
• Colloidal (or crushed) oatmeal bath soothes and promotes healing.
• Basil leaf (crushed or extract) and topical clay soothes itching and stinging pain.
• Homeopathic remedies include: Ledum (wild rosemary) for swelling; Apis (honey bee) for stings.

3. Poison ivy, oak & sumac

For Relief:

• Homeopathic remedies include: Rhus tox, Anacardium Orientale, Graphites, Urtica urens, Sulphur ·Jewelweed, eucalyptus or witch hazel essential oils promote healing; use undiluted drops or a compress.
• Calamine lotion or topical clay soothe, help relieve itching and promote healing.
• Oatmeal (colloidal crushed) baths soothe and promote healing.

4. Minor cuts, burns, scrapes & splinters

For Relief:

• Tea tree oil or witch hazel in products or diluted cleans and soothes.
• Lavender or calendula ointment promotes healing and a healthy inflammation response.
• Comfrey ointment or a compress promotes healing.
• Slippery elm compress may help dislodge splinters.

5. Motion Sickness

Prevention:

• Ginger capsules, crystallized pieces, powder or extract; take 20 minutes before (and during) travel.

For Relief:

• Peppermint essential oil calms the stomach; sprinkle on tissue to inhale aroma ·Raspberry tea calms the stomach.
• Homeopathic remedies available as well

6. Muscle soreness bruises & swelling

Prevention:

• Avoid the "weekend warrior" scenario by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
• Stretch with deep breathing and warm up muscles slowly before activity.
• Herbal supplements such as ginger, turmeric, holy basil, green tea and rosemary support a healthy inflammation response, both preventatively and for relief.

Relief:

• Homeopathic Arnica gel or cream relieves swelling and pain.
• Bromelain (pineapple enzyme) helps soothe sprains and bruises.
• Capsaicin cream (from cayenne pepper) helps soothe aches and pains.
• Homeopathic remedies include: Arnica Montana, Magnesium phosphorus, Hypericum perf, Ruta grav, Ledum pal, Rhus tox

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