Homemade Cure for Sunburn?

Well, just in time for hottest weekend in about 3 years, the smallest member of the Costello family (Fern, 3 years old) has contracted chickenpox. The poor thing is covered from literally head to toe in sore itchy spots. None of us have had any sleep for days.

Anyway, a bit of research on the internet revealed that oatmeal baths are good for irritated skin, including chickenpox and sunburn. I also know from experience that lavender is great for skin disorders, and honey and tea tree oil have anti-bacterial properties, so I made my own recipe for a bath bomb. On such a long hot weekend, I thought it was worth sharing the bath formula that we are using on her, in case any fellow gardeners get caught out in the sun too long.

Oatmeal and lavender bath bomb

• 3 handfuls of oatmeal (can be any type - mine is a cheap bag from Lidl)
  
• dried or fresh lavender flowers
• few drops of lavender essential oil
• 2 tsp honey (runny or set)
  
• about 8 inch square muslin, organza, or other porous fabric
• String for tying
  
• tea tree oil (optional)

Instructions:

Put the oatmeal in the blender and whizz until powdery (optional - I couldn't be bothered with this bit). Spread out the muslin square and pour on the oats with the lavender flowers and the essential oils. Put the honey in the middle and cover with the dry mixture, tying with string at the top.

Put the bag into the bath as it is running and leave to soak during bath. Squeezing it makes more of the white liquid come out.

Having tested the recipe, it really seems to have soothed the itching, so I feel entitled to recommend it. In fact I can't wait to try it myself.

Finally, the peas are finally coming through in numbers, so I picked some for dinner tonight.

I expect many more where these came from: