Here are some simple remedies for treating common summer ailments using natural ingredients and methods. Treatments vary according to age, as well as whether women are pregnant or breast feeding, to ensure that every person is given an option that works for them.
Nausea and travel sickness
Adults:
Pour two drops of essential oil of lemon (citrus limon/zest) or two drops of essential oil of ginger (zingiber officinale/rhizome) or two drops of essential oil of peppermint (mentha piperita/leaves) on a tissue and breathe in deeply for two or three inhalations. Do not make contact with the skin. Repeat if necessary.
If no essential oil is available, eating some stem ginger may help prevent an episode of nausea.
Pregnant/breast feeding women & children over seven:
Pour two drops of essential oil of lemon or two drops of essential oil of ginger on a tissue and breathe in deeply for two or three inhalations. Do not make contact with the skin. Repeat if necessary.
If no essential oil is available, eating some stem ginger may help prevent an episodes of nausea. However, children may have problems with this as they tend to dislike the taste.
Mosquito Repellent
Adults (including pregnant/breast feeding women) & children over seven:
The atmospheric diffusion of the essential oil citronella of Ceylon or bourbon geranium (rosata, odorata) will help to keep mosquitoes at bay. Diffusion can either be active (using a spray device) or passive (using a fixed base).
Citronella leaves or bourbon geranium leaves should be cut into small pieces and mixed with a cut of lemon balm to create a ‘pot-pourri’. If flies try to get into the mixture, simply add two drops of essential oil of peppermint or a few leaves of exotic basil (ocimum basilicum).
Placing a bourbon geranium plant in front of the window will also help keep mosquitos away.
Children under seven:
Essential oil of citronnella is recommended. The ‘pots-pourris’ are also suitable but without the addition of essential oil of peppermint. All products must be placed out of arm’s reach of children.
Burns
Adults & children over seven:
Immediately apply one or two drops of essential oil of fine lavender (natural or medicinal) to the burn. Repeat 2 to 3 times if necessary. This is helpful as lavender has a localised anaesthetic action and will help with the pain and the healing process.
Pregnant/breast feeding women & children under 3 months
Immediately apply a little hazelnut vegetable oil, calophyllum oil or calendula oil. If you don’t have any of these to hand, you can use St John’s wort. Bear in mind that St John’s presents a risk of photosensitisation, so exposure to the sun is not recommended following use.
This treatment is also suitable for managing sunburn, as all of these products are anti-inflammatory agents.
Insect Bites
Apply a few drops of calophyllum or an oily maceration of calendula. Otherwise, St John’s wort oil or liquid jojoba wax will also be very effective.
Toothache
Chew a clove or infuse two to four cloves in water close to boiling point and use this infusion as a mouthwash. Repeat four to five times during the day whilst waiting for your appointment with the dentist.
