Explore natural remedies that can soothe your irritated skin
Numerous approaches address the various causes of spring and summertime itchy skin. An easy method for alleviating bug bites' intense itch is to create a paste using water and either baking soda or bentonite clay, although it can be messy. Alternatively, if you are outdoors and encounter a sting, bite, or prick, and plantain is accessible, you can quickly make a spit poultice to effectively reduce inflammation. However, many individuals, myself included, prefer a convenient remedy that isn't messy and does not require spit. Now is an opportune time to prepare an anti-itch salve for the inevitable itching that accompanies the warmer months.
There are plenty of herbs to choose from that can reduce itching, and inflammation. I will share a short list with you. You most likely have at least a couple of these herbs in your area so that you can easily and affordably make your own skin salve.
Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) - a gentle, soothing herb that offers astringent, skin healing, and anti-inflammatory properties
Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita) - a gentle, multifaceted herb that offers anti-inflammatory, skin healing, and soothing properties
Chickweed (Stellaria media) - a delicate herb that offers moisturizing, skin-soothing and cooling properties
Jewelweed - a popular herb to use for poison oak/ivy/sumac rash, with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties
Lavender (Lavendula spp.) - a relaxing aromatic herb that offers anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and skin-healing properties
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - an interesting herb that moistens skin while calming the itching of skin related to rashes, irritation, inflammation, bites, and stings
Mints (peppermint, spearmint, catnip, lemon balm) - these aromatic herbs offer skin cooling, soothing and reduction of pain and inflammation
Peach or plum leaves - though not commonly used as an herb, these leaves offer cooling, moistening, anti-inflammatory properties
Plantain leaves (Plantago major & lanceolata)- this common weed/herb is exceptional at offering skin healing, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties
Violets (Viola odorata) - a delightful flower that offers soothing, cooling, and moistening properties
Additionally, several essential oils are beneficial for skin inflammation and irritation:
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)- historically used for its numerous skin healing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - is recognized for its cooling properties due to its anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, and antiallergic effects; providing relief from itching
Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum) - has been shown to offer anti-inflammatory, astringent, analgesic, and skin-healing properties
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) - appreciated essential oil for its skin healing properties, able to help with allergic skin responses, and reduce inflammation
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) - is a popular essential oil for a variety of skin conditions such as burns, itching, rashes, irritations, and wounds, owing to its properties, including anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antiallergic
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)- frequently used to restore healthy skin while reducing inflammation, redness, and itching
To make a salve, you can use any carrier oil or combination of carrier oils that you prefer. Each carrier oil has unique properties allowing some oils to be more ideal than others. Here is a list of a few good oils to use to relieve itchy skin:
Almond, apricot, peach, or plum kernel oil - high in oleic acid, these oils are emollient, anti-inflammatory, and skin-protective
Avocado oil - improves skin tone, and soothes skin irritation and inflammation
Babassu oil - similar to coconut oil, useful for moistening and soothing irritated skin
Baobab oil - can repair damaged skin, and relieves dry, irritated, and itchy skin
Cocoa butter - soothing to dry chapped skin, bringing relief to irritated and itchy skin
Coconut oil - helps restore hydration to the skin which helps to soothe dryness and itchiness
Jojoba oil - similar to our skin's natural sebum, allowing it to be highly moisturizing, support skin healing, and calm inflammation
Shea butter - deeply moisturizing, and relieves inflamed skin
Sunflower oil - high in oleic acid, this oil is soothing, anti-inflammatory and cooling to the skin
Note: Immediate action is crucial if you suspect that you have been exposed to poison oak, ivy, or sumac. Do not wait for a rash to appear; head straight to the shower and rinse off with cool water and soap to remove any urushiol oil. Opt for water-based products such as hydrosols and strong teas for use as a wash or compress to the affected area. For proactive measures, consider brewing a potent tea using any of the above herbs, ideally jewelweed, freezing it into ice cubes, and storing it for up to a year.
Anti-Itch Salve
To create your anti-itch salve, choose one or more of the mentioned herbs, along with any optional essential oils. You can use either dried or wilted herbs, but avoiding fresh, moist herbs is advisable to prevent molding. Follow these simple steps to create your anti-itch salve using natural ingredients.
Ingredients and Supplies:
8 oz glass jar
enough herbs to fill the jar about half full
enough carrier oil to cover the herbs (~ 1 cup)
2-4 Tbsp of beeswax (adjust for desired consistency)
30-40 drops of essential oil (optional)
2 oz salve tins (you will most likely need 5 tins)
Instructions:
Herb Infused Oil
In a clean heatproof jar or container, combine the carrier oil and dried or wilted herbs
Place the jar in a double boiler to gently heat the oil and herbs for at least 4-6 hours. Keep the temperature low to prevent overheating. Alternatively, you can place the herbs and oil in a covered jar and allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks, with occasional agitation of the jar
Once infused, strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the herbs, ensuring you extract as much oil as possible
Preparing the Salve
In a clean, heatproof container placed in a double boiler, melt the beeswax over low-heat
Once the beeswax is melted, add the infused herbal oil to the container, stir well to combine, then remove from the heat
If desired, add the essential oil(s) stirring well to distribute evenly
Pour the blend into salve tins. Allow to sit still and cool before capping or moving.
Be sure to label your tins
Storage
Store the salve in a cool, dry place
It should keep for six to twelve months
Soothing Anti-Itch Salve
4 oz coconut oil
4 oz sunflower oil
1 part (~3 Tbsp) wilted lavender
1 part (~3 Tbsp) wilted plantain
1 part (~3 Tbsp) dried calendula flowers
15 drops of lavender essential oil
15 drops of frankincense essential oil
5 drops of tea tree essential oil
4 Tbsp beeswax
Soothing and Moisturizing Anti-Itch Cream
If you prefer a more creamy option, you can make a cream, but because creams have a water component, you should make a fresh cream at least every couple of months, or use a preservative.
1 fl oz jojoba oil infused with plantain and calendula
1 oz coconut oil
0.25 oz shea butter
1/2 Tbsp beeswax
1 fl oz ale vera gel
0.5 fl oz lavender hydrosol
10-15 drops of frankincense essential oil (optional)
Over low heat, melt the beeswax and coconut oil. Then blend in the jojoba oil and shea butter. Remove from heat when the shea butter has melted. Add in the aloe, hydrosol, and optional essential oil. Blend with an immersion blend until the desired creamy texture is reached. Be sure to label and date. Store in a cool, dry place, and remake every one to two months.
Don't let itchy skin ruin your outdoor fun. Make your own natural remedies to enjoy some soothing relief, and say goodbye to itching!
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