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What would summer be without it’s blues? Yes, the sun is lovely but we get burns. The bugs love summer too, and we get bites. We party more, and get hangovers. Get the picture?
Here’s some lovely ways to get some summer joy back so we can really have a good time.
Stings and Bites? Try Aromatherapy
During the summer months it can be easy to find yourself or someone around you on the losing end of an encounter with a bee or wasp. Try using witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) to ease the discomfort and heal the wound.
Witch hazel is a liquid distillation of the leaves, bark and twigs of the tree Hamamelis virginiana. It’s found on most drugstore shelves near the rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.
To treat stings and irritation, douse a cotton pad with witch hazel and apply to the affected area. This treatment is also good for insect bites, sun and wind burn and may also be used in the same manner to disinfect minor cuts and abrasions. Witch hazel may be used safely by both children and adults. It has no drug interactions.

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Seasonal Allergies, Try Herbs
If sneezing and itchy eyes have become part of your day-to-day life through out the summer months you may have allergies. The following herbs may be added to your diet and you can see if they have any beneficial effects on your allergy symptoms:
- Try making a strong tea with stinging nettles and butterbur and drinking it daily. Both herbs are reputed to perform as well as antihistamines, without the drowsiness.
- Eliminate dairy from your diet to avoid immune-system irritation. I know, that’s a hard one, but there are some soy and rice substitutes for ice-cream that are really yummy!
- Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, for example wild Alaskan salmon, freshly ground flaxseeds or fish oil supplements.
- Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits such as berries and cherries to help modify the body’s inflammatory response.
- You may also want to try nasal douching with a warm saline solution (purchase a neti bottle from your health food store) and drink plenty of water to keep nasal passages hydrated and to flush out your system.

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Partying? Try Herbs
During the summer time we sometimes drink more alcohol than our body is used to. From beers at the barbecue, coolers at the cottage to exotic cocktails when we travel.
If you are more frequently using alcohol I suggest you take milk thistle (Silybum marianum) regularly. It is available in capsules, but I believe you get more from using a tincture.
Purchase from a reputable health food store and follow the instructions on the label. The use of this herb for liver health comes from the European folk medicine tradition. It is said to enhance the metabolism of liver cells and help protect them from toxic injury.
(Milk thistle may also help those with chronic hepatitis, abnormal liver function, and those using pharmaceutical drugs that are hard on the liver, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy). You may stay on this herb indefinitely as it is considered non-toxic.
However, if your alcohol consumption does not reduce at the end of the summer or you perceive it to be affecting your quality of life please contact me for an appointment. We’ll assess your health and get you on a personalized wellness Program asap.

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Babies and Young Children in the Heat Try Aromatherapy
- Diaper or Nappy Rash Mix 1 drop each of lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils to 20 ml of calendula oil and apply to baby at every change until completely healed. (Also, be sure to take special care to wash and dry baby well after each nappy or diaper change. Be especially careful of using powders with mineral oils as they clog the skin. Avoid plastic pants and disposable diapers or nappies as they discourage the circulation of air around the baby’s body, while retaining body heat and moisture.)
- Heat Rash Add two drops of lavender essential oil to one liter of cooled chamomile tea. Then Bath baby with it.
- Insect Bite and Burns Use 1 drop of lavender essential oil in 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and mix into a paste with a little cold water. Apply as often as necessary.
Your personal needs may require personalized blends. I’m happy to help you with a consultation. Contact us with your requirements.
Of course, I have only covered a few things that can benefit from herbs and aromatherapy in the summer time. If there are other issues you would care to discuss or that require a more in-depth consultation, please contact me.
Big love, try aromatherapy and herbs…