As a natural redhead with fair skin, I am well aware of the dangers the summer sun can bring. I have experienced my fair share of sunburns as well as overheating in the hot weather. Thankfully, there are all-natural remedies you can make at home for quick relief. The remedies use ingredients like peppermint and green tea, aloe vera, yogurt, and colloidal oatmeal, all items that might already be in your pantry. As summer starts, it’s a good idea to have all these supplies on hand in case you find yourself in a sunburn predicament. The following recipes are a helpful start to making your own after-sun treatments.

Peppermint & green Tea Cooling Mist

by Heidi Shayla from Willow and Sage Summer 2023

You Will Need

• • 6 oz. filtered water
• • 2 TB. dried organic peppermint leaves
• • 1 tsp. organic green tea leaves
• • Container: heat-safe
• • Strainer
• • Glass spray bottle
• • 1–2 drops organic peppermint essential oil (optional)

To Make

Bring the filtered water to a low boil. Meanwhile, combine the peppermint and green tea leaves in a heat-safe container. Pour the hot water over the peppermint and green tea leaves, cover, and infuse until cool. Strain out the leaves, pressing to get as much infusion as possible. Pour the cooled infusion into a glass spray bottle. Add the peppermint essential oil, if desired. Shake to combine all ingredients. To use, mist directly on affected skin for cooling relief. Use within one to two days, or store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Sipping the green tea and peppermint tea will give you additional hydrating benefits, but don’t drink the tea if you’ve added essential oil.

Yogurt & Aloe Vera After-Sun Relief

by Heidi Shayla from Willow and Sage Summer 2023

You Will Need

• • Bowl: small
• • Spoon
• • 4 oz. plain organic/homemade yogurt
• • 1 oz. non-GMO aloe vera gel
• • 15 drops organic lavender essential oil

To Make

In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until thoroughly combined. To use, gently apply directly to the affected areas, allow to dry, and rinse off with cool water. Repeat as necessary.

Sun-Relief green Tea Bath Soak

by Julia Linsteadt from Willow and Sage Summer 2024

You Will Need

• • Bowl
• • ½ cup Epsom salts
• • ¼–½ cup dried loose-leaf green tea
• • ½ cup sodium bicarbonate
• • ½ cup colloidal oatmeal
• • ¼ cup dried lavender flowers
• • Spoon
• • 1 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)
• • 2 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• • Airtight jars: 4-oz. (4)
• • Cloth tea bags (optional)

To Make

In a bowl, combine the Epsom salts, loose-leaf green tea, sodium bicarbonate, colloidal oatmeal, and dried lavender, and mix until all the ingredients have been incorporated. The mixture will have a powdery green tint. Add the essential oils, if using, to the dry ingredients, and fold them into the mixture using large circular motions. Pour the prepared bath soak into the 4-ounce jars.

Place the airtight lids onto the jars, and secure them tightly. Label the jars with the date and contents. Store in a cool, dry location until ready to use. The bath soak will keep for up to 12 months.

To use, pour ¼ cup of the bath soak under the tap as you fill the basin half full with hot water; or add the same amount of the soak to a cloth tea bag and place it directly into the bathwater. For a highly concentrated bath, fill the tub basin a quarter full with hot water. If using the tea bags, add two tea bags to the water, or ½ cup total of the bath soak. Soak for 20 minutes, replenishing the hot water as needed. Remain mindful of your temperature and avoid overheating. After soaking, rinse in a cold shower to receive the full, commanding effects of the soak. Towel off and moisturize your skin with lotion or body oil.

Discover more all-natural remedies for this summer season in Willow And Sage Summer 2024.

Danielle Williams is the managing editor for Willow and Sage, The Natural Home Issue, Mingle, and Art Quilting Studio. She lives with her growing family in Orange County, California.