When summer is at its peak, it’s time when many of us fall victim of sunburn. It’s time for us to be aware of various remedies available for sunburn. Most of the counter sunburn measures available in the market include steroids. In this post we will be listing some of the natural alternatives for prevention and cure of sun burn.
Sunburn can be regarded as a severe inflammatory skin condition which is caused due to overexposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. According to Ayurveda, the people with the pitta type body constitution are more vulnerable to sunburn.
Ayurvedic treatment of Sunburn
Use of Aloe Vera gel or cream is quite effective in treating sunburn. In case you have access to the aloe Vera plant then it would be better to cut it open and use the gel from the plant directly. Application of aloe Vera provides instant relief to the sun burnt areas.
Coconut oil is also effective for providing instant relief from minor sunburn.
You can also use equal proportions of sandalwood and turmeric paste with little water. Apply the mixture on the burnt area for relief.
Cow milk is also known for its cooling effect. Dipping a gauze pad into milk and putting it on the affected area can also offer quick cooling effect.
A mixture of equal amount of turmeric, yogurt and barley is also effective against sunburn.
You can also use cool compressed bath or soothing gel or cream that contains sandal oil, aloe Vera, sandal paste, lettuce pulp, rose oil or a mixture of vinegar and olive oil. Ayurvedic oil such as Madhuyashtyadi, chandanadi, Ksheerabala, pinda Thailam, Dhanwantharam etc. can be used for treating sunburn as per medical advice. Other Ayurvedic medicine like Manjishtha, Triphala, Amalaki, Saariva, Usheer, Mandukpami, Gokshur and Haridra are quite effective in treating sunburn.
Other Ayurvedic ointment manufactured by combining Saariva, majistha, Chandan, usher, haridra, yashtimadhuk and mandukparni are quite effective when applied to the sun burnt parts.
Other medicines that are used in Ayurveda specifically to treat sunburn are Rogya-Vardhini, Kamdudha-Ras, Chandanadi-Vati, Chandrakala-Ras, Chandan-Bala-Laxadi oil, Panch-Tikata-Ghrut, mahanarayana oil, Shata-Dhout-GHrout, Gandhak-Rasayan, Usheerasav and Saarivasav.
Few home remedies for treating sunburn
There are many traditional home remedies that are effective in treating sunburn.
- Mix about 2 tsp of tomato juice and 4 tsp of buttermilk. Use the mixture on the affected part. Leave it there for about half an hour and then wash it off.
- You can cool the affected area by bathing it in cold water several times a day.
- We all know the cooling capability of cucumber. In case of sunburn, keep a cold cucumber slices on the affected area or pour some cucumber juice on the place with the help of cotton ball. You can also use grated cucumber and apply it on the affected part.
- Sunburn can also be soothed by applying rose water.
- Buttermilk is also a good cooling agent. It can be used effectively for sunburn. Wash the affected skin with chilled buttermilk to speed up the recovery process.
- Applying thick cold curd on the affected part or using a mixture of curd, sandalwood and calamine powder can be quite effective in getting instant relief.
- The paste of calamine powder with rose water or cucumber juice when applied on the skin offers effective relief.
Prevention is better than cure
The best way to prevent sun’s ultraviolet ray’s damage to your skin is to avoid the exposure. Minimizing the exposure of the skin to the sun, especially between 12 noon to 4 pm in the evening can help you in preventing sunburn. If you have to step out of your home or office during these hours, then it is advisable to lower or minimize the skin exposure.
Before leaving your home in a sunny day, take a few drops of neem oil and mix it with sesame oil. You can apply this mixture on your skin. This can act as a natural sun block. Drinking plenty of water is also advisable.
Application of neem oil on the skin before and after the shower also helps in nurturing your skin. It acts even better if you add a few drops of sesame oil to the neem oil before application. Coconut oil can also be used for the purpose. Indian Aloe also acts as an effective sun protector, this can be used before going out in the sun to minimize the damage.
Consumption of spicy or fermented food should be avoided during the summers. Taking carbonated drinks, oily or spicy foods and caffeine should also be avoided.
Try to consume as much fluid as you can as it will keep your skin well-hydrated and hence offers protection against ultraviolet rays. Alternatively, taking water boiled with the camphor powder and root of hemidesmus indicus. Use of buttermilk and mango juice also helps in beating the summer heat.
Sandalwood paste can also be used as an effective sunscreen and offers excellent protection against sunburn.
It is recommended to drink plenty of water before going out in the sun. Drinking watermelon juice, lemon juice, coconut water, etc. can also help in keeping you fit as it keeps the body hydrated, which in turn reduces the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays of the sun.