Simple Aloe Vera Skin Spray

While I don’t really burn when exposed to the sun, many members of my friends and family do. I wish I could credit who I learned this recipe from – It might be that I read a version of this from Rosemary Gladstar or James Green decades ago. Nonetheless, this is a simple recipe I want to share with you. Use this spray to heal your skin from sunburns, burns from cooking on the stove, or even minor abrasions and cuts. I keep a bottle in my kitchen for the inevitable cut or steam burn (oh they are the worst) and then I always travel with a bottle of this spray to hot sunny climates.

This recipe is so simple with just three ingredients: aloe, lavender, and witch hazel.

The principle ingredient is the ever-familiar aloe vera plant. I’ve never lived without one. Florists call it the First Aid plant, and that is a good name for it. The inner gel-like flesh can be directly applied to the skin to generate new healthy skin cells, reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and immediately cool a hot inflammation. Taken internally it can do the same: cool, heal, soothe inflamed intestinal tissue. It can ease constipation, and reduce diarrhea. Internal herbal preparations are commonly prescribed for folks with IBS, Crohn’s, or Colitis. If you have any of these conditions and are thinking about experimenting with aloe, please consult with a qualified practitioner first. You’ll want someone experienced to help you with dose, and also help determine what kind of preparation is best – gel, juice, or homeopathic remedy.

So while I do use the medicine from my fresh aloe plant (and it always works, so quickly!) I make this spray mainly for the convenience of travel and sharing it with others. It’s always handy to have things like this in your first aid bag.

In addition to aloe, I also use quit a bit of lavender essential oil in this recipe. It’s not just in here for it’s fragrance. It’s added as an ingredient for it’s skin healing properties. Lavender is also analgesic (helps to reduce pain), cools inflammations, and increases the formation of healthy skin cells, and reduces the likelihood of scarring.
Witch hazel, another favourite ingredient, also cools inflammations, and tightens and tons tissue through it’s astringent properties. If you use this spray for minor injuries with torn tissue and blood, witch hazel can help stop the bleeding.

Aloe & Lavender Burn Spray

(but really it’s all-round first aid not limited to burns )

Ingredients/supplies: 
Aloe vera juice (sold at most health food stores) 
Lavender essential oil
Witch hazel (read the ingredients! Make sure it’s 100% pure witch hazel. I can’t believe how much of it is being sold with a whole list of terrible ingredients. Yikes) 

Spray bottle 
label 

Directions:

Fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way full with aloe vera juice. Fill the remaining 1/4 with witch hazel. Add lavender essential oil to your bottle. If you have a 100ml spray bottle, add about 1tsp of essential oil. If your bottle is 200ml, then 2 tsp and so on. Yes, that much.

How to use it:
Spray generously where ever needed. However, please do avoid the eyes, as the essential oil might really sting. It’s potent, and also watery. So a little goes a long way. For folks really sensitive to essential oils, perhaps first apply a little test spot.

That’s it! It makes a beautiful gift by the way. And once you buy all your ingredients, you might find it makes large batches = more gifts.

Enjoy!