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Winter is nearly at its close, and that means the warmer days of spring and summer are on the horizon. Warmer days usually mean longer hours spent enjoying the bright, beautiful sunshine.
Of course, all that lovely sunshine also means a higher risk of the dreaded sunburn. Try though we might, even with the most judicious use of sunscreen, inevitably, sunburns happen. This is particularly true in the spring, when we tend to underestimate just how warm the sun has become after months of cool winter weather.
Once a burn occurs, that hot, red area becomes extremely sensitive and tender, making even the shirts on our backs seem unbearable. The symptoms can be treated, but finding a skin-friendly, additive-free product that consistently provides relief isn't always easy.
Sunburn causes inflammation that extends deep into the inner layers of the skin, resulting in pain that can last for days. Then, once the heat is gone, the peeling starts, bringing with it a whole other level of discomfort. But did you know that if you forget yourself and forget your sunscreen, this DIY after sun black tea salve could help you find almost instant relief?
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Does Black Tea Really Help With Sunburns?
Yes, due to its high content of tannins and antioxidants, black tea can quickly relieve tender skin after a sunburn. The tannins, particularly tannic acid, can help draw heat away from the burned skin, reducing pain and discomfort. Catechins, an antioxidant compound found in black tea, may also help reduce painful inflammation and repair skin damage.
What Else is in The After Sun Black Tea Salve?
Alongside black tea, this recipe combines a skin-soothing blend of calendula, chamomile, and aloe vera.
Why Calendula?
Calendula's track record in treating sunburn is well established. Over the years, several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness. Calendula’s anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the inflammation that causes irritation, tenderness, and redness. Its antimicrobial properties can help reduce infections that can occur when skin blisters and peels. As a bonus, calendula also helps promote new cell growth in areas where UV rays have damaged skin.
Why Chamomile?
Like calendula, chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin. As a cooling herb, it can also help draw out the heat that often accompanies sunburns.
Why Aloe Vera?
Few plants are more often associated with burn treatment than the aloe. The spiny succulent has a cooling effect to draw heat from the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce discomfort. Lastly, aloe vera has a high water content, which can help hydrate and moisturize sunburned skin.
What Oil is Best for Sunburns?
For this recipe, we’ve chosen jojoba oil. This oil has high levels of vitamin E, antioxidants, fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this combination, jojoba helps reduce swelling, promotes skin repair, and speeds up the healing of sunburns. Furthermore, it penetrates deep into the skin, sealing in moisture and preventing peeling.
How to Make the After Sun Black Tea Salve
THE INGRDIENTS:
2 TBSP Black Tea
2 TBSP Dried Chamomile
2 TBSP Aloe Vera Powder
8 oz Organic Jojoba Oil
3 oz Organic Beeswax
THE METHOD:
To Make The Infused Oil:
Before making the After Sun Black Tea Salve, you must infuse your jojoba oil with black tea, chamomile, and aloe vera. If you’re new to this process, you can find instructions for the cold process method here or for the heat process method here, but I’ll give a basic outline below.
Place your black tea, chamomile, and aloe vera powder in the bottom of a ½ pint Mason jar (or similar), then fill the jar to within an inch of the top with the jojoba oil and seal the jar. Once the lid is on tight, give the jar a vigorous shake and leave it in a cool, dark place to infuse for 4-6 weeks. Give the jar a good shake every few days through the process to aid the infusion. Once maceration is complete, strain out all of the plant matter.
To Make the Salve:
In a glass jar or measuring cup, combine your infused oil with beeswax and place it in a small pan of water, creating a double-boiler effect. Heat on low until all of the wax has melted. Do not let any of the water get into the oil/wax mixture, and replace the water as needed to ensure the pan never goes dry.
Remove the infused oil/wax mixture from heat and allow to cool slightly before pouring your new salve into small jars or tins. This recipe makes approximately 8oz of finished salve, so be sure you have enough containers. Once poured, allow the salve to sit undisturbed until it has hardened and cooled completely. The completed and cooled salve can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
How to Use After Sun Black Tea Salve
This salve is exceptionally effective in drawing out the heat, reducing pain, and promoting the healing of sunburns.
Before using this salve, gently wash the affected area in cool water and pat dry. Once dry, apply a generous layer of salve to the sunburn and allow it to soak in. Repeat several times daily as needed to provide relief.
For the Love of Sunshine
Luckily, my dark olive skin is much more prone to tanning than burning. That said, when I do burn, it’s usually severe. My husband, on the other hand, is as pale as they come, and even a few minutes without sunscreen gives him the lobster look.
Even before I became an herbalist, I used black tea to treat every sunburn. When I started creating herbal preparations, I knew I had to add black tea to a convenient salve to have on hand for faster relief.
In a pinch, you can brew a strong black tea, place it in the fridge until it is completely cooled, and then cover the sunburned area with towels soaked in the cooled tea. It’s effective but messy. Trust me, this salve is a simpler treatment and something we always keep on hand in the spring and summer!
If you try this salve, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below, and if you’re a regular follower, be sure to keep an eye out for our after-sun products in the apothecary when our Summer collection launches in June. Until next time,
Disclaimer:
Content from thisunboundlife.com is informational and not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Just because something is “natural” does not mean it’s safe for every person. Many plants should be avoided when pregnant or nursing; some can cause extreme interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
While we strive to be 100% accurate, utilizing information from scientific studies, trusted sources, and verified publications, we are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is solely up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed on this website and to ensure proper plant identification.
The information provided by this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before using herbal preparations, always research them, speak to a professional about any significant concerns, and seek medical advice when needed.