Siegfried's Fun in the Sun Tan Lotion

The best way to get your vitamin D is through exposure to the sun. Sunbathing in a bathing suit can generate 10,000 IU of vitamin D or more in as little as 15 minutes. The sun’s ultraviolet rays interact with the oils on your skin to produce this micronutrient, which is then absorbed into your body. Vitamin D production slows as you tan.
Skin protection in direct sun is important. Make your own with unrefined oils and other natural products. alive publisher Siegfried Gursche reveals his secret recipe for a great-smelling lotion that helps keep you from burning. It has been successfully tested on his many family travels to sunny climes.

Ingredients
200 millilitres each of coconut butter and almond, walnut, flax and olive oils
3 capsules (400 IU) vitamin E
1 or 2 leaves from an aloe vera plant
4 bags of camomile tea

Preparation
Melt coconut butter in a pot over low heat. Add the four bags of camomile tea and finely chopped aloe vera leaves. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes (being careful not to overheat to the smoking point). Strain and let cool, then add mixture to olive oil. Combine with walnut, almond and flax oils. Open the vitamin E capsules and add. Makes about one litre.

Bottle and shake well before using.

Tip
In the fall, collect a handful of green walnut husks (the outer peel of the hard shell) if you can find them. Place in a small jar and pour the mixture over the husks. Let stand six to eight weeks. Drain out the husks and use the oil for lotion.

Walnut husks have many healing properties. For centuries they’ve been used in tincture form as an astringent, cleanser and anti-inflammatory. The oil from the walnut husks has also been used as a remedy for eczema, herpes and ulcers.