With warmer weather, you’ll probably spend more time outside, whether it’s hiking, biking, or gardening. Unfortunately, this often leads to bug bites, rashes, or sunburns. Calamine lotion is a versatile remedy for these issues, and you can easily make it at home for less than what you’d pay at the store.

Here’s a simple recipe to make your own calamine lotion in small batches. Keep it in the fridge to use throughout the summer.

Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon sea salt or Himalayan salt
– 1 tablespoon baking soda
– 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
– Witch hazel
– 5-10 drops of Plant Therapy Peppermint Essential Oil
– 5-10 drops of Plant Therapy Chamomile Essential Oil
– Plastic or ceramic spoon
– Glass jar

Instructions:
1. Put one tablespoon of bentonite clay into a glass jar. This clay helps draw out toxins and cleanse wounds, reducing itchiness from bug bites and rashes.
2. Add one tablespoon of baking soda. It neutralizes bug bites, stings, and reactions to plants like poison ivy.
3. Add one tablespoon of sea salt. Sea salt exfoliates dead skin cells, reduces swelling, and relieves itchiness.
4. Mix everything well using a plastic or ceramic spoon. Avoid metal spoons as they can react with the bentonite clay and reduce its effectiveness.
5. Add enough witch hazel to create a smooth, creamy paste. Witch hazel cleanses wounds, soothes itching, and reduces inflammation.
6. Add 5-10 drops each of peppermint and chamomile essential oils. These oils have antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe and heal rashes or bug bites. Chamomile is also a natural antihistamine.
7. Mix everything thoroughly.

To use, simply apply a small amount of the paste to the affected area for immediate relief.