Deal With The Pit Falls of Summer, Naturally

Don't let snags and set-backs result in this season becoming a bummer of a summer!
Things happen, we just have to be prepared for those unexpected occurrences that can sideline the fun. Put together an all-natural "to the rescue" kit.

Below is a list of things to be prepared for during the heat and bustle of summer activities:

1. OVERHEATING
During exertion and exposure to the summer sun and high temperatures it is important to seek methods of keeping the body hydrated and cool. The following three items feel so good to freshen-up during a hot, sweaty day. Rosewater, Herbal vinegar, and Peppermint all make wonderful body mists.

Roses contain cooling properties therefore rosewater is a wonderful thing keep on hand.
Roses contain a substantial amount of vitamin C which results in an acidic rosewater wonderful to use as a facial toner or facial mist. Fresh rose petals are allowed to infuse in distilled water under the heat of the sun and then added to refreshing witch hazel. Feels wonderful and smells great.
Rosewater facial toner 



Roses and Elderflowers can be combined with a good quality apple cider vinegar to bring you an awesome treatment for soothing sunburn or a skin balancing facial astringent. Vinegar restores the natural acid balance to the skin and also acts as an antiseptic.
Rose & Elderflower facial toner

Rose & Elderflower sunburn soother





Utilize peppermint's minty cooling sensation to bring some relief and perk up on those hot, humid days. Also helps relieve the throb of a headache often brought on by the heat.
Peppermint body spray


 2. BELLY ACHES
Peppermint has a great reputation for aiding in the relief of cramped tummy muscles and well as the headaches and nausea that often accompany motion sickness.
Peppermint tummy oil also contains the essential oils of chamomile and fennel, great aids for calming upset stomachs.
Peppermint belly massage oil


 3. POISON IVY
We are told about the rule "if 3 leaves, let it be" but still it may seem every time we work outside or go hiking we somehow brush up against this plant. Nature's antidote, jewelweed, can often be found growing nearby but if not, keep a bottle of this Jewelweed Vinegar on hand to spray onto the affected areas to help neutralize the itch of the urushiol.
Jewelweed vinegar body spray




 4. SUNBURN
Combine the cooling gel of the aloe vera plant with Lavender essential oil and you have a fantastic antiseptic and pain reducer to help nip sunburn in the bud. Applied as soon as you notice the burn and you just may avoid peeling.
Aloe & Lavender sunburn body spray


 
St. Johnswort, Comfrey and Lavender are wonderful for healing minor burns caused by sunburn or an accident. This balm is very healing for damaged skin but needs to be applied only after the skin has been cooled from the heat of the burn. Anything beyond a first degree should be seen by a physician.
Minor burn, sunburn salve


  5. OVEREXERTION
Weekends and vacations can be over scheduled with fun activities but overdoing it can result in muscular pain.

Rosemary has long been depended upon for relief from rheumatic and muscular pain. Used as a liniment this sharp, earthy smelling herb helps warm the muscles and increase circulation.
Rosemary herbal liniment 



Called the living medicine chest, both the leaves and roots of the comfrey plant are used to stimulate and accelerate tissue repair. Comfrey helps reduce swelling and bruising as it strenthens ligaments and tendons.
Overexertion balm









6. BUG BITES AND STINGS
Insects, bees and ticks are a part of our natural environment but we'd rather they leave us alone. Help deter them without the potential risk to yourself of bug sprays containing pesticides. There are aromatic plants in nature that insects detest and avoid. Three good ones are Yarrow, Geranium, and Plantain.

Yarrow acts as a bug deterrent and soothing for skin irritations in this alcohol based body spray. Catnip and Citronella essential oils are added for additional repelling action.
Herbal deet free insect deterrent body spray



Geranium essential oil is detested and avoided by ticks. This aromatic oil is utilized as a body spray to help keep these dreaded parasites off of your family and dogs.
Herbal tick deterrent body spray




 Plantain is amazingly efficient at neutralizing the sting of bugs and bees. It has astringent, soothing, antimicrobial properties that make it a beneficial addition to an herbal bug body spray. Plantain, Comfrey and Yarrow blend well together in this vinegar based deet free bug deterrent body spray.
Herbal vinegar bug deterrent body spray



7. ATHLETE'S FOOT

Public swimming pools, showers, bathrooms, camp facilities
all put one at risk of picking up the fungus, tinea pidas. A few good foot soaks with this salt foot bath containing anti-fungal tea tree, cooling peppermint, and healing lavender essential oils should help with this annoying condition.
Fungal Foot Salts



8. BUMPS AND BRUISES
Summer activities and the occasional boo boo are inevitable. Herbs are nature's medicine chest for aiding and healing those skinned knees and elbows, or irritating mysterious rashes. They also make great healing lip balms for the tender skin around the mouth. Calendula, Comfrey, Plantain and Chickweed are all wonderful for first aid salves and balms.
Comfrey, Calendula Healing Balm


Chickweed, Plantain, Comfrey Healing Balm