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Herbs & Cultures

Natural skin and hair care

Soothing after-sun milk

A cool compress of buttermilk, aloe and cucumber.

Used for

Time
5 minutes
Makes
About 470 ml
Aloe vera

Buttermilk compresses are an old home remedy for sunburn. With aloe and cucumber added, you can lay the strips on the skin or pour the mixture into a cool bath.

Ingredients

  • 120 ml aloe juice
  • 120 ml cucumber juice
  • 235 ml buttermilk
  • 10 drops lavender oil

Step by step

  1. Mix everything in a bowl and soak strips of cheesecloth or muslin in it.
  2. Lay the strips on the burnt skin and leave them, or pour the mixture into a bath.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 4

    Aloe vera

    Aloe vera

    The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 261

    Cucumber

    Cucumis sativus

    Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 44

    Lavender

    Lavandula angustifolia

    A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.