There’s nothing like the great outdoors in Western North Carolina, and summer is one of the best times to enjoy it. Our mild climate and beautiful mountains offer the perfect setting for everything from hiking to family picnics. Unfortunately, none of us are immune to summer hazards like itchy bug bites and the uncomfortable side effects of overeating at backyard barbeques. But never fear — we’ve come up with an all-natural summer aid kit that includes some simple but effective ways to keep you and your loved ones feeling great all summer long!
Natural Bug Repellent
You’re outside at dusk, making the most of a long summer day with your family, when suddenly, everyone starts to swat and scratch. Mosquitoes have crashed the party! Before you reach for a repellent filled with chemicals to saturate your skin, consider making and using your own bug spray with essential oils. Natural insect repellents can be just as effective as chemical-laden ones, they usually end up costing less, and they smell better, too. Here’s a handy list of essential oils that will help keep those critters at bay:
Mosquitoes: Citronella, Lemongrass, Clove, Lavender, Basil
Ants: Peppermint
Biting Flies, Gnats, No-See-Ums: Lavender, Rosemary, Spearmint
Ticks: Cedarwood, Rose Geranium, Sage, Thyme
Eucalyptus Oil is a great universal repellent; it’s hated by nearly all bugs that bite.
Easy DIY Natural Bug Repellent
What You’ll Need:
4 oz dark glass spray bottle
Witch Hazel or Apple Cider Vinegar
Distilled Water
About 20 drops of the essential oils of your choice (choose from the list above)
Directions:
Fill spray bottle a little less than half full of witch hazel or apple cider vinegar.
Fill remainder of bottle with distilled water, leaving a bit of room for the essential oils and the spray attachment.
Add about 20 drops of the essential oils of your choice.
Close bottle and shake well.
Spray all exposed skin and clothing before going outside. Reapply as necessary.
Bug Bite Relief
If you do end up with bug bites, try Miracle II Neutralizer, or Miracle II Neutralizer Gel; when applied topically, they provide itch and sting relief. Many people refer to them as “an emergency room in a bottle.” Nutra-lizer Extract is great for insect bites, as well as more serious bites from spiders or snakes. It can be taken internally or applied directly to the skin.*
You can also use apply lavender oil (be sure to mix it with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, fractionated coconut, or jojoba), apple cider vinegar, or — if you don’t mind the smell — raw onion or cut garlic on bites.
*Our products should be used only for minor or non-life-threatening bites. As always, consult with your health care professional if you experience any extreme swelling, redness, pain, or itching from any bite.
Help for Heartburn
We’ve all been there — indulged in that second spicy rack of ribs or “just one more scoop” of homemade chocolate ice cream at a summer BBQ, only to suffer the consequences with heartburn and acid indigestion a couple hours later. Luckily, there are several all-natural remedies you can use to help things calm down. It’s important to keep in mind that not every remedy works for everyone; you might need to try one or two before you find what’s right for you.
Peppermint – taken as a tea or in pill form, peppermint can be helpful in soothing ailments to the lower gut, like indigestion and gas. But don’t take it if you’re suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); peppermint makes pain that occurs higher in the digestive tract worse.
Ginger – Ginger can reduce stomach acid and inflammation, which can relieve acid reflux.
Bananas – Bland and low in acid, ripe bananas coat the stomach lining to help prevent heartburn. A word of caution: some people’s stomachs react badly to them, especially if the banana is not fully ripe.
Baking soda mixed with water – Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water for immediate relief of acid indigestion. Be sure to sip it slowly to avoid side effects like gas and diarrhea. Repeat every couple of hours.
Apple cider vinegar – Mix anywhere from a teaspoon up to a tablespoon with water and drink before or after meals. Just keep in mind that this concoction will not be tasty!
Aloe juice– drink about ½ cup before meals; studies have shown that this juice works just as well as traditional medication without any side effects.
Sugar free gum – Chew gum for about 30 minutes to increase the amount of saliva in your mouth, which has been shown to help dilute acid.
We also recommend Acid Neutralizer, an all-natural supplement that helps relieve minor to significant heartburn and acid indigestion. It’s free of chemicals, preservatives, fillers, and artificial dyes and can even assist with relief of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), a long-term condition.
More Tips for Heartburn/Acid Indigestion Relief
Wear loose clothing
Sleep with your head elevated
Don’t smoke
Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, and carbonated beverages
As always, New Sun’s customer service team is here to help answer any questions your have. We’re committed to providing superior products at the lowest possible prices, so you can live a better way of life naturally!
