It’s 82 degrees, the sun is shining, and you’re packing up the car for a weekend-long camping trip with your family. You’ve packed the tent, the suitcases, the sleeping bags, and the grill. What else could you possibly need?

It’s smart to be prepared if you’re going to be outdoors in the summer. Nature’s little creatures can cause anything from a small annoyance to a big problem if proper precautions aren’t taken. With the warm weather comes bee stings, mosquitoes, and other bug bites; poison ivy; sunburn, and heat rash. So don’t close the camper just yet – make sure you’ve packed the DEET-free bug spray, calamine lotion, and natural sunscreen.

Stephani Waldron-Trapp, ND, naturopathic practitioner at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s Natural Care Center in Bloomington, Minn., warns that many of the commonly used insect repellants and sun screens contain ingredients that are dangerous and potentially life-threatening. “Purchase your sunscreens and repellants from a natural store or co-op,” she says. Some natural ingredients to look for when purchasing sunscreen include:

• Sunflower Oil: A superior moisturizer that contains Vitamins A, D, and E;
• Lecithin: Found in membranes of plant cells;
• Coconut Oil: Used by islanders to moisturize their skin;
• Glycerine: Improves skin’s natural moisture;
• Jojoba Oil: A non-fragrant natural emollient for skin moisturizing and conditioning;
• Tocopheryl Acetate: A natural preservative;
• Shea butter: Natural plant lipid used as a thickener and emulsifier; and
• Eucalyptus Oil: Natural oil that supports the moisturizing process.

Some natural ingredients to look for in insect repellants include:

• Citronella: The distinctive odor may make it difficult for pests to locate a host;
• Lemongrass Oil: An herb widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics;
• Peppermint Oil: repels adult mosquitoes and kills the larvae; and
• Vanillin: The real deal, not imitation vanilla!

If you do happen to get in a fight with one of nature’s little pests, here are some things you can do to treat your battle wound naturally.

• Bee sting: Scrape the area with a credit card or something similar to remove the stinger. Then mix together baking soda and water to create a paste and spread it on the affected area. If you have an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately.
• Mosquito bite: Use Essential Oil of Tea Tree (try Roll-on by Aura Lacia)
• Bug bite: Calamine lotion can help soothe the affected area.
• Sun burn: Make sure to wear sun screen whenever you are out in the sun for extended periods of time. However, if you do get burned, rub Aloe Vera on the affected area to relieve the pain. You could also use Essential Oil of Lavender to treat the affected area.
• Heat rash: Wear cotton clothes; loose fitting clothes; and stay hydrated.
• Poison ivy: Use a homeopathic called Rhus Toxicodendron 30C. Take three pellets under the tongue every 15 minutes for an hour, and then once every 2-3 hours. Another option is a homeopathic spray that can be used under the tongue or sprayed on the affected area.

Summer time is an excellent time to be outdoors. By taking the proper precautions and knowing how to treat those unexpected bites, stings, and itches, you can make the most of your summer.

Source: Natural News Service, Northwestern Health Sciences University, July 2009