Nature’s Summer First Aid:Herbal Helpers for Seasonal Ailments

As the sun shines brighter, we all spend more time outdoors, which is fun, but it also brings challenges like hay fever, sunburn, bites and stings. Luckily, nature has its own remedies: herbs. These gentle yet powerful plants have been used for centuries to soothe and support the body with ailments.

Aloe vera gives instant relief from sunburn with its cooling sap. Rub the inner leaf juice directly onto burnt skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to soothe.

Most of us know that dock is meant to relieve nettle stings, but the more effective native plantain (Plantago major / Plantago lanceolata) contains natural anti-inflammatory and antihistamine constituents to ease itching and swelling. It can be crushed or chewed and rubbed directly onto the skin.

Prevent bites with insect-repellent herbs such as citronella, lavender, mugwort, catmint and lemon balm. Herbs such as garlic and neem may put your friends off too!

Painful wasp stings are alkaline. Acidic lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can reduce pain. Bee stings are more unusual as the bee dies afterwards. Remove the sting and apply alkaline bicarbonate of soda. A fresh slice of onion placed topically on the bite can help wasp and bee stings.

Bite relief balms can be made by infusing herbs into olive oil – lavender, plantain and Calendula officinalis – to soothe and prevent infection. Basil and peppermint can help prevent itching.

Hay fever is a seasonal nightmare for those with a grass or tree pollen allergy: itchy, runny eyes, sinus inflammation and sneezing, as our bodies try to flush away the irritant with mucus. Prevention is best, as once the itching starts it is hard to stop, making the symptoms worse.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) tincture (only if you are not on blood thinners), propolis, or local honey taken daily before hay fever season can be helpful.

Many herbs provide symptom relief: nettle leaf (Urtica dioica), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea or canadensis), elderflower (Sambucus nigra), horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and eyebright (Euphrasia). Many contain anti-inflammatory compounds which reduce sneezing and congestion when taken regularly as a tea (water infusion) or in tincture (extracted in alcohol). If your symptoms persist, then your medical herbalist is licensed to prescribe stronger herbs that can be helpful.

If you have a complex health condition or allergies, take advice from a qualified herbalist before taking internal medicine.

Ruth Theobold Medical Herbalist