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Bonus: Rose water smells terrific and also makes a great facial toner. How to use: Put a few drops of organic, food grade rose water into a cup of water and drink it; or add rose water to a spray bottle filled with regu- lar water and spritz yourself as often as you like. You can also use rose water to create a cold compress—douse a washcloth and put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes to make it cool to the touch—and apply it to the back of the neck or wrists.


Summer bummer: Poison ivy To the rescue: Homeopathic Rhus tox


Urushiol—the oily sap produced by poison ivy and its cousins, poison oak and poison sumac—triggers contact dermatitis, an itchy and oozy rash. Topical treatments can actually spread the noxious oil around; so instead, heal the rash from within. “Homeopathy works on the principle that like-cures- like,” explains Zand. “Rhus tox is homeopathic poison ivy.” How to use: Allow two to three tablets to dissolve in your mouth every two hours until symptoms are relieved.


Summer bummer: Indigestion To the rescue: Nux vomica


If you overindulged at a summertime shindig, you might turn to the clas- sic homeopathic cure for gluttony.


“Nux vomica is good if you’ve eaten too many fatty foods or had too much alcohol and the result is nausea or gas,” says Zand.


How to use: Dissolve five pellets in your mouth 20 minutes after eating and drinking, then repeat two to three times until symptoms are resolved.


Summer bummer: Sunburn To the rescue:


Lavender essential oil


“Lavender is the best thing to apply right after a sunburn,” says Margo Mar- rone, author of The Organic Pharmacy. “It contains linalool, a natural antiseptic that helps keep burns infection-free; and esters, which reduce pain and pro- mote cell regeneration.” How to use: Mix 10 drops of lav- ender essential oil with pure aloe vera gel (or a favorite fragrance-free lotion) and apply it to affected skin as soon as you notice the burn.


Summer bummer: Muscle strains To the rescue: Arnica


Arnica works for strains, sprains, bruises and superficial scrapes. Most people use it topically, but you can get faster results if you also ingest tablets, Zand explains. How to use: Take three tablets orally three to five times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours; apply topically


throughout the day. Note: Never apply arnica to an open wound.


Summer bummers: Bites, stings and cuts To the rescue:


Hydrogen peroxide, yarrow tincture and latex-free bandages


“First, clean the bite, sting or cut with hydrogen peroxide,” advises Flint. “Then follow with a few drops of yar- row tincture, which acts as an astrin- gent to pull the tissue together. It’s safe to use on open wounds.” How to use: Douse the affected areas with peroxide, then apply six to 12 drops of yarrow tincture.


Summer bummer: Athlete’s foot To the rescue:


Grapefruit seed extract


“Compounds found in the inner rind and seeds of grapefruits have shown potent anti-fungal activity,” notes Marrone. “They attack the cell wall of fungi and prevent replication when applied topically.” How to use: Add 10 to 15 drops of organic grapefruit seed extract to a tablespoon of water and apply with a cotton swab to the affected areas twice daily.


Maureen Healy writes on natural health topics.


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