Here are a few links for help in selecting a safer sunscreen.
To answer some of the St. Johns Wort oil questions:
1. SJW is believed to possibly cause sun sensitivity in some individuals when taken internally.
I take SJW tincture every day and have seen no increase in sun sensitivity. Most do not.
2. As a sunscreen we apply the oil topically, at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. It takes a few applications before your skin learns how to use it. We have found it to be VERY effective. For instance: in the 13 years that I have known Jeff I have never known him to tan. He does however burn quickly and very badly. Since we began using SJW oil, as many around here do, Jeff has developed a deep brown tan and has not burned.
3. To make the oil: fill a jar to the top with fresh SJW flowers and then fill the remaining space with organic olive oil. Tightly seal the jar, place it in a cabinet and allow it to steep for 2-6 weeks (different herbalists have different opinions on this, but we do 3 weeks). At the end of the steeping time strain off the flowers and apply the oil to your skin before sun exposure.
SJW oil can also be purchased in 2 and 4 ounce bottles through Mountain Rose Herbs.
4. Remember, to each his own! We choose to prevent cancer in other ways. If you would like to know what these ways are please feel free to email me. If you are looking for a debate, I do not have time.
Namaste
xoxo
6 comments:
People debate sunscreen? weird.
Thanks for the ideas we are always looking for ways besides staying out of the sun to keep us from looking old. Too late for me, the damage is done, but my daughters are kind of thinking they could end up with a few spots themselves! If the worst thing I take out of my life filled with tons of sun is sun spots, I will be pretty dang happy, in fact I am :)
Thanks for clarifying this a little bit more. I do appreciate it.
I sure do wish you had the time to reply or email me about some camping in Taos. I've been following your blog for oh, about two years now, and it would be great to get some tips or hang out at some point. Ellery is 8 and would probably get along well with your kids.
amy@rikbowman.com
Hey thanks for the tip! We live at the beach so this knowledge will come in very handy - I've been avoiding sunscreen but wishing for something to give some protection. This sounds perfect. I'm off to the co-op to pick some up and on hold with the garden center to see if I can buy a SJW plant so I can ultimately make my own. Thanks Aimee!
We use Shea Butter for sun protection when we will be out for a extended time. Also we limit the sugar intake. This I think is the most important next to water. I read in "Sugar Blues" that 100s of years ago when ships wrecked on deserted islands and the sailors lived on only the sugar on board, they suffered terrible sunburns and died much faster than sailors on ships that crashed with nothing to sustain themselves. Diet is the key to a lot of our modern problems. Slathering some 20th century concoction all over our skin is not the be all to end all. Plus we need the sun for things like vitamin d.... sunscreen blocks this. The sun gives life, it doesn't take it away.... Think of those 100s of thousands of years people have lived without sunscreen, or cancer for that matter!
trying to find your email...
have a few questions about living on the road. ; )
This sounds perfect for us! I have been wanting to try something for DD who does burn on occasion but didn't want to use commercial sunscreens. Thanks, Kelly
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