Sunburn

To reduce inflammation use: 

Eastern Deciduous Forest and Tall Grass Praire

Common Name: Wild strawberry

Genus and Species Name: Fragaria virginiana

Habitat: Prairies, borders of woods, woods, and open slopes

Seasons: Spring-Fall (until frost), Flowers May-August

Medicinal uses: The tannins in the roots and leaves soothe sunburned skin. 

Preparation: The leaves and the roots of the wild strawberry are boiled in water. After cooling, the tea is applied to the skin to relieve sunburns.

Active Chemical Ingredient: tannin

Chemical Formula: C76H52O46

Chemical Structure:

Resources:

Wild Strawberry. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/wild-strawberry
Chevallier, A., & Keifer, D. (2010). Herbal remedies. New York: Metro Books.
Foster, S., & Duke, J. (n.d.). Peterson field guide to medicinal plants and herbs of eastern and central North America (Third ed.).
3.10 Herbs for sunburn. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2015, from http://www.henriettes-herb.com/faqs/medi-3-10-sunburn.html


To relieve pain use:

Eastern Deciduous Forest and Tall Grass Prairie

Common Name: Purple coneflower

Genus and Species Name: Echinacea purpurea

Habitat: Prairies, roadsides, pastures, and openings in moist woods.

Seasons: Blooms May- October, Roots available year-round 

Medicinal uses: The purple coneflower's roots are used to make a tincture to relieve pain.

Preparation: The crushed roots (with a mortar and pestle) are mixed  in a 1:2 ratio with alcohol. After letting the combined material sit for several weeks, strain and store in a dark bottle (so sunlight does not degrade it). The tincture can be taken by mouth directly or diluted in water to drink.

Active Chemical Ingredient: Echinacoside

Chemical Formula: C₃₅H₄₆O₂₀

Chemical Structure:

Resources:

Echinacea:The Art of Tincturing. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015, from http://www.motherearthliving.com/plant-profile/echinacea-the-art-of-tincturing.aspx?PageId=3

Echinacoside. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015, from http://www.lktlabs.com/products/Echinacoside-2485-101.html

Echinacea purpurea - Natural medicine facts. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015, from http://www.naturalmedicinefacts.info/plant/echinacea-purpurea.html

Purple Coneflower. (n.d.). Retrieved September 6, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/purple-coneflower