The sun is necessary for life. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that it needs to be avoided as much as possible. Either they stay indoors, cover themselves up completely when they go out or slather on chemical-laden sunscreens.
By following many of the policies of the American Medical Association, our cancer rate has doubled in the past 60 years. They’ve told us to stay out of the sun, and if you do go out you must use sunscreen to block the UVB rays, but that means we never get the essential vitamin D our body needs to assimilate calcium, which works to change acidic body fluids to alkaline and create an environment in the body where cancer cells will not expand and grow.
Consider that cultures that have experienced the lowest rates of cancer are out in the sun for several hours a day. They also consume lots of calcium and other important minerals.
This doesn’t mean you should be out in the sun all day without any protection, either. If you’ve gotten too much sun, you may be feeling those uncomfortable, sometimes painful effects.
Next time, keep in mind that we need enough sun to produce that vitamin D, but we shouldn’t overdo it. Try to stay in the shade when the sun’s rays are at their hottest and most powerful, between about noon and 3 p.m. If you have to be out during that time, or for long periods, be sure to wear a hat as well as lightweight, white clothing, and consider non-chemical sunscreens.
If it’s too late, and you need to soothe that burn now, there are a number of natural options you can choose:
There are many products that contain aloe vera on drugstore shelves, but your best bet for relief is to use the gel-like substance that oozes from the leaves of the plant. It may not cure your sunburn, but it will help to cool your skin and make you feel better.
Vinegar is considered to be an antiseptic and also helps to cool the skin. It may also work to aid in balancing the body’s pH levels, which can decrease the sting of the burn. You can use white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Honey is known for its antibacterial properties and many studies have proven its ability to heal wounds. It may help encourage the growth of new skin cells. It’s important to use raw, organic honey (preferably from a local beekeeper or a health food store where they are familiar with the source) or you could just end up with a sticky, ineffective mess. Some health experts recommend manuka honey due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Oat extract has been shown to have some anti-inflammatory properties. Applying cooled oatmeal to your skin can help soothe the burn.
Lavender essential oil offers pain relieving and antiseptic properties. It is important to choose an oil that is 100 percent natural and does not contain any synthetic ingredients. Apply a small amount to your sunburn several times a day. For a sunburn covering a large area of the body, you may want to combine it with coconut oil or pure aloe.
Baking soda is said to create an alkalized environment that soothes the skin; its antiseptic properties can also help ease the itch and work as an exfoliant. Mix four tablespoons into a medium-sized bowl of cool water; soak a cloth or cotton balls into the bowl and dab onto the sunburned area.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
Mercola, The Surprising Cause of Melanoma, November 20, 2011
