The sun is my almighty physician.

-Thomas Jefferson

 

Have we Americans got it backwards? Is it possible that natural sunlight is good for us and that chemical sunscreens and avoidance of the sun are bad for us? You Decide

The energy of plants and all life depends on the absorption of sunlight. Jacob Liberman, in his book, Light-Medicine of the Future, states that not only is the sun good for you, it is downright therapeutic. He further points out that it is the chemical sunscreens, fluorescent lighting, and indoor lifestyle that could be detrimental to our health.

According to Dr. Liberman, ultraviolet or UV light lowers blood pressure, activates the synthesis of vitamin D, which is needed for the absorption of many minerals from the diet, increases the efficiency of the heart, reduces cholesterol, assists in weight loss, is an effective treatment for psoriasis, increases the level of sex hormones, and makes an important skin hormone active. Light is a nutrient, he says.

The real cause of skin cancer

Regarding the effects of UV light and skin cancer he writes: “One of the major researchers, Dr. Helen Shaw, found that the people who had the lowest risk of developing skin cancer were those main outdoor activity was sunbathing! Twice the risk of developing melanoma was found in office workers who had to work indoors all day under fluorescent lights. Additional research by Dr. Shaw has shown that fluorescent office lights can cause mutations in cultures of animal cells. Dr. Shaw concludes that “in both Australia and Great Britain, melanoma rates were high among professional and office workers, and lower in people working outdoors.”

 A mood brightenerNatural skin care tips, sun exposure

I think being out in the sun for part of each day is great, healthful thing, especially if you’re walking, skating, swimming, or doing some other wonderful, invigorating exercise. I agree completely with Dr. Liberman and Thomas Jefferson; the sun is a great healer and a source of nutrients that we desperately need. What makes you feel better than being outside on a sunny day? If you are concerned about your face, wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid the part of the day when the sun’s rays are their strongest.

I used to have a little, dingy, dark office. Now I have more than twenty square feet of window. It has enhanced my quality of life immensely. As I write, I am sitting in front of ten feet of southern -exposure sunlight, which is the most direct kind in Colorado, being in the Northern Hemisphere. Speaking of sunny Colorado, people here seem to be happier that my friends in cloudier climates. If we don’t see the sun for three days in a row, people get irritable and crabby. I know I do. When you think about it, and let yourself answer truthfully, I daresay you intuitively know the sun is good for you. Give yourself permission, for health’s sake, to bask in the suns radiance.

Skin damage

I have seen a few people with severely sun-damaged skin, but they really overdid it every day, every summer for years. Too much sun can have a negative effect like too much oxygen, too much vitamin A, or too much horsetail tea. Or too much sunscreen.

It’s a fact that many of the sunscreens on the market contain chemicals that can be toxic. To sell their natural skin care sunscreens, companies must give you a good reason to buy it. But I think that instinctively we know what is right for us. I think we get so caught up in the fear-induced advertising and shallow reporting that bombards us constantly that we lose trust in our inherent wisdom.

Instead of using sunscreen, you can avoid sun exposure between 10:0am and 3:00pm when the UVB rays are the strongest. If needed, use natural plant oil sunscreens such as sesame and avocado oil, and herbs such as yarrow, lily, and rosemary. Drink lots of water to hydrate your skin. Natural sunscreens such as sesame oil and vitamin E blend can be applied directly to your skin. You can also apply a topical ascorbyl palmitate, which is vitamin C that is fat-soluble and has recently been found to be successful; however, it is synthetic.

Excerpted from “Beauty Health and Happiness–A way of life,” by Lily Morgan available on our website at www.lilyfarmfreshskincare.com

Check out our Seven Facial Rejuvenating Oil Treatment, Organic Kukui Sensitive Facial Oil Treatment, & our Oil Free Skin Conditioning Serum, all 3 are great to use on being in the sun!