Sunburn

EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST

Common Name: Wild Strawberry 

Genus and Species Name: Fragaria virginiana

Season: Spring-fall; blooms April-May, ripening June-july

Habitat: open slopes, prairies, rocky hillsides, borders of woods, old fields

Use: tannis in roots and leaves soothes the sunburnt skin

Preparation: Take the leaves and roots of the wild strawberry boil in water. Once cool, apply tea to skin with soft rag or cotton swab to relieve burns. 

Active ingredient: tannin

Chemical formula:C76H52O46

EASTERN DECIDUOUS FOREST AND TALL GRASS PRAIRIE

COMMON NAME: Wild Comfrey

Genus and Species Name: Cynoglossum virginianum

Season: April-June (don't need flowers)

Habitat: bottomland forests, moist upland forests, pastures, and banks of streams and rivers

Medicinal uses: Used in the form of a tea for an upset stomach, ulcers, menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, cough, chest pain. Used as a gargle for sore throat and gum disease. Applied to the skin for ulcers, wounds, joint inflammation, bruises, sunburn(for skin regeneration), and fractures. It is known to promote cell regeneration and reduce inflammation. 

Preparation: Obtain the comfrey leaves and squeeze juice from the stems of the leaves and apply to sunburned skin. Another option is to brew tea using the leaves and allow to cool, then soak soft cloths in tea and apply to sunburned areas. Can also make poultice with plantain leaves. 

Active Chemical: allantion

Chemical Structure: C4H6N4O3

(n.d.). Health - HowStuffWorks. Comfrey: Herbal Remedies - HowStuffWorks. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/comfrey-herbal-remedies.htm
(n.d.). MOTHER EARTH NEWS - Organic Gardening, DIY, Renewable Energy, Homesteading And Livestock, Real Food, Natural Health, Nature And Environment, Green Homes, Green Transportation. Comfrey Medicinal Uses: The Herbalist's Notebook - Natural Health - MOTHER EARTH NEWS. Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/comfrey-medicinal-uses-zmaz92jjzshe.aspx?PageId=2