Natural Remedies for Summer Ailments

Summer activities can be fun, but they can bring along uninvited menaces. Here are some household hacks that can help

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

August 4, 2022

Summertime offers a well-deserved break to engage in relaxing and fun outdoor activities. But some can increase your risk of hazards, such as sunburns, bug bites, dehydration and more. Here are some tips that can help.

Blisters
Those strappy, open-toed heels and summer sandals may be responsible for painful blisters on your toes, feet, and heels. The leaves of the aloe vera plant contain medicinal properties, which can help reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. Use either over-the-counter skin products that contain aloe vera or apply pure aloe vera gel directly to the blister.

Bug Bites
Bug bites can make outdoor activities intolerable. Fortunately, there are natural remedies to help quickly reduce irritation. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm itching and help reduce swelling. After washing the area with soap and water, place a few drops directly in the area and gently rub them into your skin. The oil can help treat spider bites and bee stings too. Just make sure to remove the bee stinger before washing. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can also provide relief from a mosquito bite. The CDC suggests mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste, but first, wash the area with soap and water. Apply the paste to the bug bite, then let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it. Baking soda can also be an effective remedy for treating a heat rash. Dissolve three to five tablespoons of baking soda in a warm bath and soak for about 20 minutes.

Dehydration
Dehydration is a familiar summer illness. Salt mixed with fluids can improve hydration. For an easy DIY electrolyte drink, place 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice, ½ cup of fresh orange juice, 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt, and 2 tablespoons of raw honey in a blender and mix well.

Fried Hair
A combination of exposure to the sun, water, and chlorine can contribute to dry, rough, brittle, and frizzy hair. Avocados contain natural oils and fats that can condition and moisturize. Minerals, including potassium and magnesium, may help prevent further breakage. Mix one ripe, peeled avocado with 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 2-3 tablespoons of honey until smooth. Apply the mixture to freshly washed hair from roots to ends. Cover your scalp with a cap and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Poison Ivy
Contact with poison ivy can become a realized fear during the summer months. Baking soda or oatmeal can come to the rescue. Each help relieves the unpleasant irritation the plant can cause to the skin. But first, wash your skin with soap and cool water, than dissolve ½ cup of baking soda, 1 ½ cups of ground-rolled oats to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes.

Sunburn
Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, can ease the discomfort from a mild sunburn and hydrate the damaged skin. Dissolve 2 cups into a bath and soak sunburned skin for at least 12 minutes. You can also make a compress, by soaking a washcloth in the mixture.