Sunburn: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Sunburn, a condition characterized by redness, swelling, and pain caused by prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can lead to long-term damage, including premature aging and increased risk of skin cancer.

Prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours, and failure to use protective measures like sunscreen and clothing, can cause sunburn. The negative impacts of sunburn on health include dehydration, blistering, and increased susceptibility to infections.

To alleviate sunburn, herbal remedies like aloe vera gel, chamomile tea, and cucumber juice can provide relief. Aloe vera's anti-inflammatory and soothing properties can calm sunburned skin, while chamomile's antiseptic properties can reduce inflammation and promote healing. Cucumber's cooling effect can help to reduce redness and ease pain.

However, when using medicinal herbs for sunburn, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper preparation and application guidelines to avoid any adverse reactions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of sunburn, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of sunburn?

The main causes of sunburn are primarily due to overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, specifically UVA and UVB rays.

The UVB rays, which are more intense near the equator, cause the most damage, leading to sunburn, erythema (redness), and even skin cancer. The risk of sunburn is also increased by factors such as skin type, with fair skin being more susceptible due to lower melanin levels, and skin conditions like albinism. Additionally, reflective surfaces such as water, sand, and snow can increase UV radiation exposure by up to 80%, and atmospheric conditions like ozone depletion can also contribute to higher UV radiation levels.

Furthermore, medications like certain antibiotics and antihistamines can increase sensitivity to UV radiation, further increasing the risk of sunburn.

• Ultraviolet Radiation: Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds causes sunburn due to the absorption of UV energy by skin cells, leading to DNA damage and inflammation.
• Fair Skin: Individuals with fair skin are more susceptible to sunburn due to their skin containing less melanin, the pigment responsible for protecting skin from UV damage.
• Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during peak hours, increases the risk of sunburn due to the accumulation of UV radiation.
• Reflection: Reflected UV radiation from surfaces such as water, sand, and snow can increase the risk of sunburn, as it can be just as intense as direct sunlight.
• Altitude: Higher altitudes have less atmospheric protection against UV radiation, increasing the risk of sunburn at these locations.
• Cloud Cover: Clouds can allow up to 80% of UV radiation to pass through, reducing the protective effect of cloud cover and increasing the risk of sunburn.
• Time of Day: Sun exposure between 10am and 4pm is most likely to cause sunburn due to the sun's rays being strongest during these hours.
• Skin Conditions: Skin conditions such as albinism and porphyria can increase the risk of sunburn due to impaired melanin production or other skin-related factors.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for sunburn?

The main medicinal herbs used for sunburn are Calendula officinalis, Aloe barbadensis, Hypericum perforatum, Arnica montana, Ginkgo biloba, Mentha x piperita, Plantago lanceolata, Aloe vera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Symphytum officinale.

Calendula officinalis contains triterpenoids and carotenoids that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, reducing redness and promoting wound healing. Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, reducing pain and promoting skin hydration. Hypericum perforatum and Arnica montana contain flavonoids and sesquiterpenes that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair.

Glycyrrhiza glabra and Symphytum officinale, along with Mentha x piperita and Plantago lanceolata, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that contribute to wound healing and tissue repair.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps with sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which soothe and protect the skin from further damage, reducing redness and promoting wound healing.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with sunburn due to its gel, which contains aloin and aloe-emodin, that have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, cooling the skin, reducing pain, and promoting the healing process.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum helps with sunburn due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce the risk of infection and promote the healing of damaged skin, although its effectiveness for sunburn relief is still being researched.
• Arnica montana: Arnica montana helps with sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as arnica acid and helenalin, which can reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation, while also promoting the healing of damaged skin.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not help with sunburn, as it is primarily used to treat conditions related to blood flow and cognitive function.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, helps with sunburn due to its cooling and anti-inflammatory effects, which can soothe the skin, reduce pain and itching, and promote the healing process.
• Plantago lanceolata: Plantago lanceolata, or ribwort, helps with sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can reduce redness, swelling, and the risk of infection, promoting wound healing and skin protection.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with sunburn due to its gel, which contains aloin and aloe-emodin, that have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, cooling the skin, reducing pain, and promoting the healing process.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can reduce redness, swelling, and pain, promoting wound healing and skin protection.
• Symphytum officinale: Symphytum officinale, or comfrey, helps with sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can reduce redness, swelling, and the risk of infection, promoting wound healing and skin protection.

What are the main herbal preparations used for sunburn?

The main herbal preparations used for sunburn are creams and ointments containing aloe vera, which cools and soothes the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.

Salves made from chamomile and calendula can be applied topically to reduce redness and itching, while tinctures of vitamin E and chamomile can be used to accelerate skin repair when taken internally. Decoctions of cooling herbs like mint and basil can be applied as a compress to reduce heat and inflammation, while gels made from aloe vera and vitamin E can be applied directly to the affected area to provide long-lasting hydration. Poultices of cooling herbs like cucumber and licorice root can be applied to reduce heat and inflammation, while capsules and suppositories containing cooling herbs like peppermint and chamomile can be used to promote wound healing from the inside out.

Topical balms made from cooling herbs like peppermint and eucalyptus can also be applied to reduce redness and itching, providing quick relief from sunburn symptoms.

• Cream: A topical cream made from Aloe barbadensis gel or other soothing herbs such as Calendula officinalis or Plantago major helps with sunburn by providing a protective barrier and moisturizing the skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Salve: A salve made from the anti-inflammatory properties of herbs like Arnica montana or Hamamelis virginiana helps with sunburn by reducing redness, swelling, and pain, while also promoting wound healing and tissue repair.
• Tincture: Although less effective for immediate relief, a tincture made from cooling herbs like Mentha piperita or Lycopus virginicus can be used topically or taken internally to help reduce inflammation and fever associated with sunburn.
• Decoction: A decoction made from anti-inflammatory herbs like Symphytum officinale or Tilia europaea can be used as a compress or applied topically to help soothe and calm sunburned skin, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
• Ointment: An ointment made from soothing herbs like Chamomilla recutita or Hypericum perforatum helps with sunburn by providing a protective barrier and moisturizing the skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing, while also reducing pain and discomfort.
• Gel: A gel made from the anti-inflammatory properties of herbs like Aloe barbadensis or Echinacea purpurea helps with sunburn by reducing redness, swelling, and pain, while also promoting wound healing and tissue repair.
• Poultice: A poultice made from cooling herbs like Plantago major or Calendula officinalis can be applied directly to sunburned skin to help reduce inflammation and promote healing by drawing out heat and toxins.
• Capsule: While not typically used for immediate relief, a capsule containing anti-inflammatory herbs like Turmeric (Curcuma longa) or Ginger (Zingiber officinale) can be taken internally to help reduce inflammation and fever associated with sunburn when used in conjunction with other treatments.
• Balm: A balm made from soothing herbs like Calendula officinalis or Arnica montana helps with sunburn by providing a protective barrier and moisturizing the skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing, while also reducing pain and discomfort.
• Suppository: While not typically used for sunburn, a suppository made from anti-inflammatory herbs like Aloe barbadensis or Chamomilla recutita can be used to help soothe and calm anal sunburn or irritation, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.