Summertime is one of the best times of the year, but it is also the time of year where we seem to get sick unexpectedly. Sickness can pop up left and right, and we don’t know why. A few summer ailments that we tend to always get are the common cold, which has a tendency to be worse than during any other season; food poisoning, which has an increase in cases because warm weather encourages bacteria to multiply; and heat rash, which is caused when sweat ducts become blocked and swell up. Heat rash occurs on areas of the body that are covered with clothing. Heat strokes and sunburns are also common summertime ailments.
Now, how do you get rid of these ailments so that you can enjoy your summer uninterrupted? I have some home remedies that will kick those ailments and get you back to enjoying yourself.
Tips:
Summer Cold:
Use saline spray, which is a mixture that is meant to rinse out your nasal passages.
Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water and drink to cleanse your body internally.
Vitamin C tablets are a great way for you to prevent sickness and to also aid in healing.
Food Poisoning:
Sip on water to keep your body hydrated. The water will help flush out the toxins that are causing you to be sick.
Heat Rash:
Avoid situations that can lead you to sweat excessively; avoid strenuous exercise when it is hot; use air conditioning, fans, and cool showers to bathe if possible; dry skin thoroughly; and make sure to wear lightweight, loose clothing.
Heat Strokes:
Recognize the symptoms, stop the activity, and move to a cooler environment. Make sure to rehydrate the body with plenty of water or a drink with electrolytes such as Gatorade or Powerade.
Sunburns:
Place a cool compress on the sunburn, take a cool shower or bath, use lotions that contain aloe vera to soothe and moisturize the skin, and hydrate the body with lots of water.
These are just a few of the many ailments that we tend to come in contact with during the summer. It is important that we are continuously hydrating our bodies during strenuous exercise or sports. Drink athletic drinks to hydrate your body and to replace electrolytes that are lost. However, it is not good to continue to drink those sports drink if you are not being active. Keep water near at all times.
DIY Summertime Itch:
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons Bentonite clay
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 drops lemon essential oil 3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
*All essential oils must be of therapeutic grade.
Directions:
This recipe includes bentonite clay, which reacts with any type of metal and becomes less effective easily. Hence, take a glass or high-grade plastic bowl for preparing the mixture. You’ll also need a spoon for blending all ingredients together. Make sure that it is also not made of metal.
1) Put the clay, baking soda, sea salt, and fractionated coconut oil in bowl. Stir until smooth, getting rid of all lumps.
2) Once the consistency of the mixture becomes medium (neither too thick nor too thin) and the texture becomes smooth and silky, add lemon, lavender, and peppermint essential oils to it.
3) Stir again for a final mix, and your DIY anti-itch cream is ready!
DIY Insect Problems:
Directions:
Use 8-ounce Mason jars.
Slice some fresh lemons and limes, pick some fresh rosemary, and select some essential oils.
Begin with a slice or two of lemon or lime in the bottom of the jar, add the rosemary, fill with water, add the essential oils, then top with an extra slice or two of the citrus fruit.
Finish up by adding a floating candle on top.
Light before your guests arrive to help ward off insects and add a magical touch to your table setting.
Ingredients:
2 ounces witch hazel
2 ounces distilled water
10 drops of geranium
15 drops lavender
5 drops patchouli
10 drops lemongrass
10 drops citronella
Directions:
1) Add ingredients to a 4- or 5-ounce spray bottle.
2) Shake well before each use.
3) Spray on clothes and exposed skin as often as needed.
Tips for using
1) Oils and water don’t mix, so be sure to shake the bug spray before you use it
2) Avoid spraying on face
3) Avoid touching eyes and mouth if you have bug spray on your fingers
4) For young kids under 2, spray onto their clothes (and not on their skin).
DIY Sunburn Relief:
Directions:
Fill ice cube tray with aloe gel and freeze. Once frozen, you can leave in tray or remove cubes and store in a plastic bag in the freezer. Rub on sunburn as needed.
Directions:
Boil some green tea without sugar in a pot and sieve it.
Let it cool down for some time and then store it in the fridge.
Spray or apply with cotton wool this cold tea on the affected area. You will instantly begin to feel better.
If your eye lids are burned, then placing cold eye bags on eyes will also help.
Written by: Hillary Griffin
Health Life Magazine 