Sunburns can be nasty and they’re not always limited to your skin turning red and some light peeling thereafter. Sometimes, your inflamed and red skin can form blisters. Pain, itching, skin that feels warm to the touch, swelling, fever, nausea, fatigue, and irritated eyes are some of the other symptoms of sunburn.
It’s always nice to be able to turn to a remedy you have at home when dealing with an irritating sunburn. Taking pain medication, applying some aloe vera, getting in a cool bath, cold compression, and even an oatmeal bath can help relieve some of the symptoms of a sunburn.
Along the same vein of thinking is chamomile tea. If you’re no stranger to soothing a sunburn with tea bags, then this news is probably not a big surprise for you. Native to southern and eastern Europe and western Asia, the plants that chamomile tea is typically made from are German (Chamomilla recutita) and Roman (Chamaemelum nobile). The tea variety is made using dried flowers of these plants.
Why chamomile tea helps with a sunburn
The benefits of adding chamomile tea to your skincare routine are many. In fact, it’s been a somewhat popular home remedy when it comes to anti-aging and wound healing. According to a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City, Dr. Dendy Engelman (via Healthline), chamomile can be used to soothe inflammation, combat acne, and fade hyperpigmentation. Plus it’s considered safe for people with sensitive skin.
The anti-inflammatory property of this type of tea is what is particularly beneficial with sunburns. “Chamomile contains the anti-oxidant apigenin, which aids in lowering inflammation by inhibiting the release of inflammation-causing chemicals … Bisoprolol, chamazulene, and apigenin are three compounds found in chamomile that give it soothing and healing benefits that are [great] for sensitive skin,” explained the expert. German chamomile tea, Chamomilla recutita, is considered more effective for skin-related concerns, per Dr. Engelman.
Apart from its use to treat sunburns, chamomile tea is associated with sleep and relaxation, relieving anxiety and pain during premenstrual syndrome (PMS), preventing osteoporosis, and combating the growth of certain cancers.
How to use chamomile tea for your sunburn
Using chamomile tea to relieve your sunburn is not a complicated process. Make the tea as you would normally — add some hot water to a mug or bowl and throw in some chamomile tea bags. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes and soak a clean towel in the tea before pressing it gently to your sunburned skin. You could also drink a cup of chamomile tea to soothe and cool down your body.
Soaking in a chamomile tea bath is another way to soothe your sunburn, especially if you have larger areas of skin that have been damaged by the sun’s UV rays. Soak some tea (dried herbs if you can find them) in some hot water and fill a tub of warm water while this is ongoing. Once the tea has cooled down a little, pour the mixture into the tub of warm water and mix it in. Soak in the water for 10-15 minutes.
That being said, not everyone can turn to chamomile tea to treat sunburns. People who have adverse allergic reactions to pollen should be cautious about this home remedy. Sinus problems, itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and asthma-like reactions are all symptoms of a pollen allergy. Chamomile tea and oatmeal baths aside, here are some more go-to home remedies for sunburns you can check out.