We should all be using sun blocks, covering up, and not be outside unduly in the peak ultraviolet exposure period of the day. But a mild case of sunburn is very easy to acquire in midsummer heat. Prevention is obviously preferable, but a number of herbs can be helpful in soothing the sting and minimising the damage. Aloe vera can give considerable relief . There are many good preparations of Aloe vera gel ideal for packing in your holiday bag, but the plant itself can also be used. Break a long, succulent leaf off the plant, squeeze out some clear gel, and apply it to the inflamed skin. Cut off the used section, wrap the rest of the leaf in cling film, and store it in the refrigerator for future use. Apply either the gel from the leaf, or a commercial gel, several times a day until the redness and sting subside. Aloe vera plants are easy to grow in a sunny, very well drained position, and they are ideal for pot cultivation. Young plants that form at the base can be separated and planted elsewhere when they reach around 10 cm.

An old remedy which has since been proven to have a sound scientific basis is the use of strong, cold, black or green tea. Tea is a strong anti-oxidant and can repair some of the damage caused by sunlight which releases free radicals in the skin. Tannins in the tea soothe the sunburn, while compounds called catechins are believed to reverse some of the damage caused to the skin. Splash the cold tea generously over the affected areas, or applied with generously soaked cotton wool. Repeat the applications several times a day until the pain of the sunburn subsides.

The vegetable patch contains our next cure, cucumber. The expression ‘as cool as a cucumber’ is no accident. Cucumbers contain two compounds, caffeic acid and vitamin C, that sooth a mild sunburn. They can also reduce swelling. Peel and roughly chop a cucumder. Place it in a blender, and blend until fairly smooth. Strain off the juice. Apply the juice generously to the skin and leave on for a couple of hours before splashing the skin with clean cold water. Aloe vera gel can then be applied. The old beauty trick of resting while placing a slice of cucumber on each eye will also help to sooth tired looking eyes reddened by wind or excessive sunlight, and reduce puffiness for those who have partied a little too enthusiastically. Slices of cucumber placed directly all over the face can also be used as a quick pick-me-up for the skin.

Other herbal remedies that can help reduce the effect of a mild sunburn are the petals of the pot marigold Calendula officinalis which has a long history in soothing and reducing inflammation and speeding up healing, and the leaves of the plantain Plantago. A bath containing a mixture of soothing herbs can do much to take the sting out of mild sunburn and allow a comfortable night. Place a handful of pot marigold petals (half a handful if dried), half a cup of dried black or green tea, a handful of crushed plantain leaves, and honey which acts as a moisturiser, into a heat proof steel, ceramic, or glass container. Pour four cups of boiling water over the herbs and allow them to steep for 30 minutes. Strain off the herbs, discard, and add the liquid to a warm bath. Lavender Lavendula angustifolia essential oil is a tranquilliser acting on the peripheral nervous system. Add a few drops of the oil to the bath before soaking peacefully. After patting the skin dry, finish with an application of Aloe vera gel.

Sore muscles can also be treated with a warm bath to which an extract of herbs has been added. Herbs that help aching, stiff muscles include lavender, rosemary, thyme, and eucalyptus. Use approximately one cup each of lavender flowers, shredded dried eucalptus leaves, and dried rosemary leaves, and half a cup of dried thyme. Mix the herbs together, and use a cupful of the mixture to prepare an infusion with four cups of boiling water. Store the remainder of the mixture in airtight container in a cool place for future use. For aching legs, try massaging the muscles with essential oil of lavender mixed with a carrier oil like almond, olive, or the deeply penetrating hazelnut oil. Thyme oil, as well as fennel oil, are also very helpful and should be similarly diluted with a carrier oil.

A herbal footbath is the answer to aching feet. Add a good handful of a dried herb mixture of equal parts of rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage and sweet marjoram to a bowl of water that is as warm as is comfortable. If using fresh herbs, double the quantity. In a second large bowl place water into which two tablespoons of sea salt have been added. Stir until the salt is dissolved, then add ice. Soak aching feet for a while in the warm water bath, then change to the cold salt water bath. Alternate several times before patting the feet dry and gently massaging in oil of rosemary or mint diluted with a little carrier oil.

Upset tummies are a common holiday complaint. A change of diet, holiday indulgence, and summer heat are among the reasons. Chamomile tea is soothing and healing. In France, parsley tea (always made from fresh parsely), serves the same purpose, as does shepherd’s tea made with a sprig of thyme per cup and sweetened with a little honey, and basil tea which is not only calming to the stomach but helps to induce a good night’s sleep. An infusion of peppermint can help to relieve indigestion.

Summer colds with the attendant misery of a sore throat are common in January. The antiseptic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and sage can be made into strong teas which are strained before adding honey, cooling, and using as a gargle. A fresh quantity should be made each day. The leaves of strawberries and blackberries are also used for the same purpose. Around 50g of leaves are used to four cups of boiling water. Hot lemon and honey is always soothing too, but drunk as a tea. If you are a garlic fan, many swear by a deliciously powerful garlic soup flavoured Provencal style with herbs like sweet marjoram, thyme, sage, and bay. Six to eight plump cloves and a fresh sprig of each of the herbs are fried together very gently in a pot to which a little olive oil has been added. A good homemade chicken stock is then poured in and the soup simmered for thirty minutes. It is then strained. Many cooks remove the pot from the heat and stir through the beaten yolks of two eggs to thicken the mixture. Drunk at night with some crusty bread as an accompaniment, this soup with only minor variations to the recipe, is a standby in many cultures to treat a threatening cold.

The other thing that bugs us in January is ......bugs! Our herb gardens even have the answer for this problem. Flies are repelled by lavender, mint, peppermint, pennyroyal, mugwort, and southernwood. Use bunches of these herbs to decorate the house and to make seasonal wreaths. Ants dislike both pennyroyal and tansy, and fleas are also repelled by pennyroyal. Mosquitoes dislike the smell of citronella, and the citronella scented geranium will help to keep them at bay.

Tossing and turning at night in very hot weather is the commonest of problems, leaving you tired in the morning. A sleep pillow filled with fragrant sleep inducing herbs like freshly harvested and dried lavender flowers, chamomile flowers, and sweet marjoram, together with the cool sweet scent of lemon verbena, orange mint, lime mint, lemon mint, white peppermint, New Orleans mint, and lavender mint, will soon have you drifting off to sleep. If you are travelling light, carry a little bottle of lavender oil with you and place a drop or two on the pillow. If your head is aching, massage a drop of lavender oil into each temple as well. With all these gentle herbal remedies, January should finish in fine style.