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Elderflower & Chamomile Sunburn Gel

A cooling after-sun gel combining aloe with two traditionally calming floral waters.

lotionsBurns & SunBeginner⏱ 10 minsShelf life: 3–4 weeks refrigerated

Benefits

Sunburn reliefCoolingSoothing

Ingredients

  • Aloe vera gel — 80ml
  • Elderflower water — 20ml
  • Chamomile tea (cooled) — 20ml
  • Preservative — 1g

Instructions

  1. Whisk all liquids together until smooth.
  2. Add preservative and mix well.
  3. Store in the fridge and apply generously to sunburned skin.

Interactions & contraindications

Aloe vera gel

Full profile

Pregnancy

Avoid

Topical gel use is generally fine, but oral aloe latex (the yellow sap layer, a strong stimulant laxative) is contraindicated in pregnancy — it has been linked to uterine contractions and should be avoided; purified inner-leaf gel taken orally is used more cautiously.

Breastfeeding

Avoid

Oral aloe latex is a strong stimulant laxative that can pass into milk and cause infant diarrhea/cramping — avoided while nursing; topical gel is fine.

Children

Use Caution

Topical gel is widely used and fine for minor skin irritation/burns; oral aloe (especially the latex/sap form) is not given to young children due to its strong laxative effect.

Diuretics, digoxin

Oral aloe (especially the latex) has a laxative/diuretic effect that can worsen potassium loss.

Diabetes medications

May enhance blood-sugar-lowering effects.

Elderflower water

Full profile
  • Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Elderflower water in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Elderflower water itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Elderflower water in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.

Chamomile tea (cooled)

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Use Caution

Occasional culinary-strength tea is widely used traditionally, but German chamomile has mild emmenagogue (uterine-stimulant) activity — concentrated extracts, capsules, or frequent strong tea are generally advised against, especially in the first trimester or with a history of miscarriage.

Breastfeeding

Likely Safe

Commonly used traditionally in normal tea amounts to support let-down and calm the nursing parent; considered compatible with breastfeeding.

Children

Likely Safe

Widely used in mild diluted tea form for infant colic and sleep in traditional practice. Rare allergic reactions occur in children with a known ragweed/daisy (Asteraceae) family allergy.

As a member of the Asteraceae (ragweed/daisy) family, this herb carries a real chance of cross-reaction in anyone allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies — introduce cautiously if there's a known allergy.

Blood thinners (warfarin)

Contains natural coumarins with mild anticoagulant activity.

Sedatives

Additive drowsiness.

Preservative

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Preservative in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Preservative itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Preservative in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.