Summer Survival Kit
by Carrie
A. Corson, from the June 2001 Newsletter
Venturing outdoors this summer? Maybe you should consider taking along a summer survival kit with items from the Co-op.
For those who suffer from allergies, here are a couple of natural products that may provide some relief. For hay fever symptoms, capsules containing freeze-dried nettles have been shown to be quite helpful for some. They can be fast acting and have no side effects. Look for Frontier and Eclectic capsules, and tinctures from Earth Wisdom Herbals and Tortoise and the Hare Herbals here at the Co-op.
Quercetin, a bioflavinoid obtained from buckwheat and citrus fruit can be helpful for allergies. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, it appears to stabilize the cells of the immune system that release histamine, the mediator of allergic reactions. Since its action is preventative rather than symptomatic, it should be taken regularly (it may take 6 weeks or so to notice a change in your allergic response). Look for Nature's Life and Nutrition Now Quercetin on the Co-op shelves.
Don't forget we carry several all-natural sunscreens. I must admit that my personal favorite is TerraSport 30+ from All Terrain. I do a lot of heavy labor outside in the summer. And even with all that sweat, this stuff stays on. Vicki is partial to the Alba Botanica brand. She says, "it's not too oily, absorbs nicely into your skin and smells good to boot". Another good choice is Naturade, and members will find these products 40% off through the month of June.
If you do find yourself getting a little pink, cool your skin with Naturade's skin soothing and skin healing gels with Aloe Vera. Members will save 40% off on these products as well.
Finding your muscles a little sore from gardening, mowing, hiking, biking, or a rousing session of four-person sand court volleyball? Try Sore Muscle Rub from Badger, Tigerbalm, or my new favorite, Recovery Rub from All Terrain. Menthol is the active ingredient in this rub. But it also includes Kava Kava extract and Arnica. It smells great and absorbs well (not too oily).
Speaking of Arnica, we carry it in a homeopathic gel from Boericke and Taffel and in a cream from Natra-Bio. It's nice for sore muscles as well as trauma from bruising or sprains. Arnica tablets or pellets can be taken internally for these issues as well.
Don't get bugged this summer. Try some of our all-natural bug repellent products. Badger brags that their Anti-Bug Balm is "good for skin, bad for bugs". Or make your own repellent with these essential oils: 4 drops red thyme, 8 drops lemongrass, 4 drops lavender and 4 drops peppermint. Mix these together and add 2 drops to 2 teaspoons of oil (almond, grape seed, or apricot for example) for a body rub. Or add the blend to any lotion or cream that you may have. Essential oils of lemongrass and/or citronella can be used as airborne insect repellants. Mix them with water and add them to plant sprayers to spritz a room, or put drops on light bulbs or in aromatherapy diffusers. You'll find these and other ideas in The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Wormwood.
Finally, here are some ideas for what to do if you are unlucky enough to be stung by a bee, yellow jacket or wasp. A paste of baking soda and water placed on the site of a sting can greatly reduce pain and inflammation. If you don't have baking soda handy, try crushing plantain leaves or blades of green grass and placing them on the sting. Tim Blakely, an herbalist at Frontier Natural Products, swears by Echinacea. He suggests putting a little of this tincture on any kind of bug bite or bee sting to reduce swelling, pain and itching. Bach Rescue Remedy is often used as an internal remedy for the distress that some people feel after being stung. (Some people do have very serious allergic reactions to bee stings. In these cases, treatment by a health care professional should be sought).
Have a great, all-natural summer everyone!
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