Do-It-Yourself Natural Remedies for Summer

See how natural Do-It-Yourself natural remedies can improve your summer.

Summer is the season when most people choose to interact with the natural world. A hot sun, accessible wilderness wonders and endless outdoor activities make being outside incredibly inviting. Along with fun and recreational activities, however, there can be problems like sunburns, bug bites and travel inconveniences when hot weather is involved. Truly enjoying the summer means being prepared to counter any issues that could potentially put a damper on having a great time with friends and family.

Home remedies and DIY products for summertime carry the assurances of quality, safety and economy, and they work well for people and pets. The body is susceptible to dangers like burns, bites and allergic reactions, but with DIY remedies, these things do not have to continue being hassles. Great natural products give people access to all they need for alleviating these issues.

DIY Sunburn Remedies

 The most common malady when enjoying the summer sun is burned skin. People have been dealing with this problem for centuries without the use of expensive chemical treatments. Here is a home remedy to try.

The simple application of certain essential oils to a sunburn will infuse the body with antioxidant properties that cause skin cells to heal more quickly. Skin types respond to essential oils differently, but the majority of people can find relief from conditions like severe sunburns with oils derived from botanicals. Oils that are preserved in the correct way will contain no perfumes or added enhancers that might irritate burned skin.

A great sunburn botanical is lavender. Along with any preferred bath salts, combine lavender oil in a ratio of 25 drops per cup of bathing solution. This is an unusual remedy taken from the annals of the Farmer's Almanac, and it has been a standby for generations of people who work in the sun daily and need pain relief.

Other sunburn remedies that utilize oils and herbs are vinegar and mint. Peppermint oils and apple cider vinegar will provide a cleansing and deodorizing effect along with cellular repair. All essentials oils that prompt the skin to heal quickly should be diluted with a carrier oil or water to avoid irritating the skin further. 

If you're looking for another traditional sunburn remedy, you can use aloe. Rather than purchasing chemical-laden aloe gel from a store, go with a natural product. You can even apply freshly cut leaves to a sunburn for one of nature's easiest remedies. Combine this with a green tea treatment for sunburns: Soak a few bags of green tea in cool water. Then, apply the cool water and the tea bags to burned skin for some relief.

DIY Bug Repellants

Insect bites are almost guaranteed if a person wanders outside. Instead of applying chemically laced products to repel insects, here’s a DIY All-Natural Bug Spray Recipe. 

Simply mix ½ cup witch hazel, ½ cup apple cider vinegar and 6 to 7 drops each of eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree and rosemary essentials oils in a mixing bowl.

Place mixture in an 8-ounce spray glass bottle. Spray, when needed, over any area of the body that bugs can bite. Avoid getting it in your eyes and mouth.

DIY Poison Ivy Remedies

Bugs aren't the only outdoor nuisances you have to watch out for, though. Poison ivy is a major problem in the summer months, but thankfully, there are some great natural remedies available. If you or your child has a bad reaction to poison ivy, spray chilled apple cider vinegar onto the surface of the rash and blisters. You can also try spraying the area with cooled witch hazel. 

If you don't have these ingredients on hand, there are some more common household ingredients that can also soothe the affected area. Mix blended whole oats in a bath with baking soda and submerge the skin into the bath. You can also try mixing a tablespoon of turmeric root with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Apply the paste directly to the affected area. 

DIY Motion Sickness Remedies

 Summer trips can require long periods spent in a moving vehicle like an RV, a family vehicle or a cruise ship. Motion sickness is something that can put a hold on all summer fun. There are many prescriptions for chronic sickness, but there are a host of natural remedies as well. 

Motion sickness is a cascading type of travel sickness where the body's equilibrium and digestive fluids become agitated. Introducing powerful natural products into the system gives the body the increased ability to handle quick changes in elevation, temperature and other sensory environments. 

One way to beat motion sickness is to try smelling peppermint essential oil. You can apply it to your wrists or neck or wear it in a vial necklace. Another option is to suck on peppermint candies or sip on peppermint hot tea.

Ginger is another edible product that can help with motion sickness. Try chewing on crystallized ginger candies or sipping from a travel mug with ginger tea or natural ginger soda.

If you do not mind the smell of apple cider vinegar, this is a highly effective natural remedy for motion sickness. Before you leave home, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey into 1 cup of warm water. Stir and drink about 30 minutes before you get into the car. You can also rinse your mouth out with this mixture if you vomit while traveling.

Quercetin is also contained in some citrus fruits like grapefruit and lemon. Eating a couple of citrus fruits before travel is surprisingly effective in preventing motion sickness for some people. 

Think Natural When It Comes to Summer 

Plans for summer are likely to include adventures into places where a person can become far removed from the conveniences of modern life. As the adventure journeys into raw and untamed areas, the need for skin protection and other health concerns takes center stage.

There's no reason to settle on harsh commercial products for personal protection that shields against the elements; natural DIY products will perform just as well, often for less expense. Any concern for family members and pets can be addressed with natural products that mesh with a modern lifestyle.

Natural DIY summer remedies are the best way to learn from the wisdom of the past while taking care of any problems that might arise during summer fun.