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Health Tip of the Day
Mint can provide relief and healing of sunburn. Mint contains substances called menthol and rosmarinic acid that can bring relief from pain, itching, and irritation caused by sunburn.
Peppermint oil is as effective as cortisone cream to bring relief from itching and burning.
According to dermatologists, the intense itching that some people experience with a sunburn, can be relieved with peppermint compresses.
Chilled peppermint tea, or a cup of water with a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil, can be used as a compress to help cool sunburned skin. Never use ice packs on a sunburn.
Peppermint contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Mixing peppermint oil with almond oil, jojoba oil, or sunflower oil can be applied directly to the sunburned skin. Peppermint oil is cooling and has a numbing effect which acts as a painkiller thus avoiding the use of drugs such as aspirin or acetaminophen.
In addition to anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, peppermint improves blood circulation which brings healing to the sunburned skin.
Coconut oil and petroleum jelly should never be used on sunburns because of their thick consistency which can prevent the skin from releasing heat from the sunburn.
Author Marilyn Pokorney
Copyright Marilyn Pokorney 2022
