Homeopathic Treatment for Sunburn

By Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na)

Ouch! Don't touch! Sunburns, like chicken wings, can be mild, medium or hot! You can, however, keep the following remedies handy as the summer progresses to keep the heat down. First and foremost, never leave for a long weekend or vacation without your homeopathy kit. If you don't own one, you are welcome to contact our office at (716) 941-1045. We have several selections to choose from.

When confronted with sunburn, the first remedy I turn to is Cantharis 30. It's useful for all sorts of burns including scalds and chemical burns. Use a potency that matches the severity of the burn. This means the more severe the burn, the higher the potency.

For mild sunburn a 6c, 12c or 30c is likely to do the trick. For a more serious case with severe pain, chills, and blistering, a 200c may be needed. But first seek advice from a seasoned homeopath. When treating an acute condition such as sunburn, use this general rule: the more severe the pathology, the more frequently the remedy needs to be repeated. So if the sunburn is moderate -- very red but without blistering -- and you're using a 30c potency, you might offer it every 30-60 minutes. Use pain as your guide to determine how often to dose.

If after giving Cantharis there is no improvement, consider two other remedies. Urtica urens is the remedy of choice if the pain has a prickly, stingy or itchy sensation. In fact, if the sensation is of this nature from the beginning, then start with this remedy and don't bother with Cantharis.

For a deep, severe burn, use Causticum. The more severe the burn, the more likely that Causticum is the correct remedy. Causticum is also handy for old burns that have taken a long time to heal. You should see a reduction in intensity of symptoms within 30-40 minutes of taking the correct remedy.

I also like to use cell salts in alteration with higher potency remedies. For instance, if you have determined that Cantharis 30 is the correct remedy, then alternate Kali mur 6x with Cantharsis 30 every 30 minutes or so to bring down the discomfort and pain. As always, stop when there's improvement. 

Topical ointments or tinctures can also be soothing. Try coconut oil, aloe vera gel or Calendula tincture. But to be honest, you'll likely find the homeopathic remedy is all that you need. Sunburn isn't a day at the beach. But don't worry: homeopathy, as always, has the solution!

One more tip... Sunscreen? Toss it out! If you wouldn't or couldn't eat what you put on your skin, it shouldn't be used. Read the ingredients. If they don't read like a list of ingredients in a good recipe book, then get rid of them. Your liver, the filtering organ, will thank you! What's the solution? Cover up with a sunhat, a t-shirt in the pool and seek shade during times of scorching sun. My husband is blonde, blonde, blonde, an avid sailor and hasn't worn sunscreen in 30 years. (Not since we met!) My rule is: act sensibly, not chemically.


Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom, is certified classical homeopath who teaches and consults with moms the world over via phone and SKYPE.

For a free download of 10 Toxins and How to Antidote Them With Homeopathy go to www.homeopathyworks.net and find it on the “Free Downloads and Articles” section of the homepage. Then, consider scheduling a free 15 minute conversation with Joette to see if homeopathy is a fit for your, or your child’s, health strategy.





The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice.
The reader is encouraged to make independent inquires and to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare provider.