Cookbook Thursday looks at sun relief spray recipe

It’s hot out there so we’re going to veer slightly on this Cookbook Thursday to spotlight an aloe after-sun relief spray from “Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self” by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Publishing).

            According to Tourles, aloe helps treat all types of burns, including sunburns. The following recipe utilizes “the anti-inflammatory powers of lavender and the calming effects of rosemary” within a spray that can be applied right to the skin. It’s recommended for all skin types and can be also used as an anti-itch and healing spray for various skin irritations and bug bites, the author says.

            Use as necessary. Blend the following and shake vigorously before each use.

Store the leftover spray in plastic or dark glass spray or spritzer bottle and keep refrigerated for use within 4-6 months.

Aloe After-Sun Relief Spray

From “Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self”

1 cup aloe vera juice

20 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops rosemary (chemotype verbenon) essential oil

Directions: Place all ingredients in a storage container and shake well to blend.

Application tips: Spray on skin as often as necessary.

Tourles’ Sunburn relief suggestions

Add 2 cups apple cider vinegar to cool bath water and soak for 10 to 20 minutes.

Apply cold aloe vera gel or juice directly to sunburn as often as needed to ease pain and rehydrate damaged tissue.

Apply cold, strong, regular black pekoe tea directly to sunburn with soaked cotton pads. Repeat as needed.
      Spray chilled lavender or chamomile hydrosol directly onto sunburned areas to help relieve inflammation.

Chere Dastugue Coen is the author of "Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History," "Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana" and "Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana" and co-author of "Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets." She also writes Louisiana romances under Cherie Claire, including "A Cajun Dream" and "The Letter." Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.