Non-Toxic Summer Savers

When you hear “summer” what comes to mind? Lazy days at the pool? Fun, family-friendly hikes? Outdoor cookouts with friends? Camping out under the stars? Sounds like an awesome summer! But with any of these great summer adventures can come dreaded sunburns and bug bites and ouchies, oh no!

While some summer activities can lead to a trip to the medicine cabinet for a remedy, today I’m offering great alternatives to cure those summer troubles.

Toxin Exposure

Several months ago, I wrote a post here on Autoimmune Sisters about using essential oils as non-toxic options for a number of issues. In that post, I discussed how to use essential oils. I also touched on why it is important for everyone, but especially for women with autoimmune diseases, to lessen exposure to toxins.

“Lessening your toxic load, or the amount of toxins you expose yourself to, is key to healing your body when you have an autoimmune disease. It is also important in maintaining wellness. Our bodies have decided to wage war against themselves. With our immune system compromised, it is easier for toxins to wreak havoc once they seep in. Toxins also interrupt our hormones. Hormones play a role in regulating every function of our body so it is imperative to protect them.”

Hormone disruption is a real problem for women with autoimmune diseases. Our hormones play a critical role in how we feel, but did you know that hormone imbalances can lead to flares? Chemicals in products we use everyday and commonly found in our homes can promote complications for our autoimmune disorders through the chemicals used in items like sunscreens, hair care products, and over the counter medicines. One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals and toxins is through using essential oils.

Essential oils are natural and can be used for a wide variety of issues. In this post, I’ll offer some natural and healthy alternatives for summer fun complications.

To make the following concoctions you will need the following:

After Sun Spray

Vitamin D from the sun is essential (see what I did there) to your health. However, too much sun can be painful, literally. As a kid, I had my fair share of sunburns. I was fair-skinned, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed. I didn’t stand a chance against the scorching Florida sun. Trust me when I say I understand the importance of a good sunburn remedy!

• Aloe Vera Juice: 3/4 cup (not pictured)
• Carrier Oil: 1 TBSP
• Lavender Essential Oil: 10 drops
• Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil: 8 drops
• Peppermint Essential Oil: 5 drops
• 12 oz Spray Bottle (glass or aluminum; not pictured)

Pour all ingredients into a 12 oz spray bottle. Shake to mix. Spray onto sunburn. Use as often as needed. Another version of this can be made with aloe vera gel instead of the aloe vera juice. Swap the spray bottle for a pump bottle and the gel will work beautifully.

Cooling Spray

When you have to be outside for an extended period of time and you’re looking to cool off, this cooling spray will do wonders before you hit heat exhaustion (recipe source, The Essential Life Book).

Pour all ingredients into a 2 oz spray bottle. Shake to mix. Spray onto back of neck to cool off quickly. Use as often as needed.

Bug Repellent Spray

Bugs are an unfortunate part of summer. Keeping bugs away is the name of the game for an enjoyable outdoor evening. No more swatting, smacking or constant fanning those annoying pests away.

• Witch Hazel: 1/4 cup (not pictured)
• Arborvitae Essential Oil: 8 drops
• Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil: 8  drops
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil: 5 drops
• Cedarwood Essential Oil: 5 drops
• 4 oz Spray Bottle

Pour all ingredients into a 4 oz spray bottle. Shake to mix. Spray onto exposed skin and rub in before heading outside.

Bug Bite/Stings

And then sometimes, despite your best effort, you still get bitten. Or you forget the bug repellent, as I recently did and had to deal with bug bites the next day, ugh! This combination will reduce the pain and swelling that comes along with bug bites and insect stings. This is my go-to recipe for bites and stings and what made my skeptical husband a believer in essential oils!

Place the essential oils in a 10 ml glass roller bottle, top with a carrier oil. Secure the roller ball to bottle. Apply to bite(s)/sting(s) as often as needed. Once the pain has diminished, the oils can be applied every hour or every other hour as needed.

Swimmer’s Ear

Have pain in your ear after a day of water activities? Swimmer’s ear is no fun. Kids seem to suffer from this annoying ear infection more often than adults do, but adults are not immune. This remedy can be helpful in alleviating pain and reducing the swelling in the ear.

• Rosemary Essential Oil: 8 drops (not pictured)
• Clove Essential Oil: 2 drops
• Lavender Essential Oil: 8 drops
• Carrier Oil
• 10 ml Roller Bottle

Place the essential oils in a 10 ml glass roller bottle, top with a carrier oil. Secure roller ball to bottle. Apply to the exterior of the ear as often as needed. Do NOT place the oil inside the ear canal. Never place an essential oil into the ear canal. The oil blend can be placed behind the ear and earlobe, on the tragus (the little flap in front of the ear) and down towards the jaw. Once the pain has diminished, application can be delayed to every hour or every other hour as needed.

Hair De-Tangling Spray

Another outcome of all day water play is tangled hair. Whether your hair is thick or fine, a good hair de-tangling spray can be the difference between an angry scalp or a happy and healthy head of hair.

• Hair Conditioner: 1-2 TBSP (not pictured)
• Hot Water: 1/2 cup (not pictured)
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 1/8 cup (not pictured)
• Lavender Essential Oil: 5 drops
• Rosemary Essential Oil: 5 Drops (not pictured)
• Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil: 5 drops
• 8 oz Spray Bottle

Mix all ingredients in the bottle. Spray on hair generously and comb through. The apple cider vinegar helps strengthen hair and helps with dry scalp.

These recipes are general guides and are meant for healthy adults. I have taken into account use for adults with compromised immune systems due to autoimmune diseases. If you are currently in a flare, or suffering from severe symptoms, I would advise you to follow the guidelines for children. It’s best to use less oils more often than too much oil. You can always increase your oil amounts. If you are going to be using any of these remedies on children, refer the the dilution guide below:

Babies: 1 drop essential oils to tablespoon (TBSP) carrier oil. This is a 0.3% dilution ratio.

Children: 1 drop essential oil to teaspoon (TSP) carrier oil. This is a 1% dilution ratio.

Adults: 4-8 drops essential oil to 1 teaspoon (TSP) carrier oil. This is a 2-4% dilution ratio.

*Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be used to diagnose or prescribe treatment and is not meant to be used in place of medical advice. If problems persist or worsen please seek medical attention.

**Disclaimer 2: Please be aware of where you are purchasing your essential oils from and the brands you are choosing to use. I discussed this in more detail here.

There are many places you can purchase essential oil accessories. Amazon, of course, has everything. I love buying my accessories from smaller businesses like Oil Life and Whimsy and Wellness. These are not affiliate links. These companies are not affiliated with Autoimmune Sisters, or myself in any way.

Enjoy your summer safely! But if you stumble into any consequences of your summer fun, I hope these non-toxic summer savers help you feel better ASAP!

References:

1. https://palmerkippola.com/hormones/balance-your-hormones-to-beat-autoimmune/
2. The Essential Life book