I f you’re tired of using the same old products to prevent or treat sunburn, bug bites and other summertime skin problems, there are a number of natural remedies that I’ve found to be effective in my clinical practice.

My favorite natural remedies for...

Sunburn protection. Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring pigmented compound that helps guard against sunburn -- perhaps due to its powerful antioxidant properties. To prevent sunburn this summer, supplement your sunscreen use by loading up on beta-carotene-rich foods. (This nutrient also improves general immunity, so it makes sense to eat these foods year-round.)

Best food sources of beta-carotene: Most orange-colored vegetables and fruits (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, mangos, cantaloupe and apricots)... and green veggies (such as broccoli, spinach and kale). Adults with fair, sun-sensitive skin may also reduce sunburn risk by taking a beta-carotene supplement (50,000 international units daily) now through September in North America.

Note: Some research has suggested that this dose of beta-carotene may be harmful to smokers. If you smoke, consult your doctor before taking beta-carotene. Even though beta-carotene helps protect against sunburn, you still need to wear sunscreen (check a natural-foods grocery store for a chemical-free product). The combination provides even more protection than when either is used alone.

Sunburn relief. If you do get a sunburn, calendula is an herb that may help soothe burned skin, reduce pain and speed healing. Calendula flowers (used to make a soothing tea) and calendula tincture and lotion are readily available wherever botanical medicines are sold. The flowers also can be easily grown in home gardens (most nurseries stock both plant starts and seeds). Use one tablespoon of fresh flowers or two teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of water for tea. Put calendula tea, tincture or lotion directly on sunburned skin three times daily until symptoms improve. You can splash the tea or tincture on your skin or dab it on with cotton balls.

Caution: Do not use calendula if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family.

Bee stings. A homeopathic remedy made from the honeybee, Apis 30C reduces swelling and pain. Take two pellets (under the tongue) twice daily for one to three days.

Caution: Do not take Apis if you are allergic to bees. You can also use calendula tea, tincture or ointment topically for relief.

Insect bites. Homeopathic Lachesis 30C relieves the pain of swollen, tender insect bites, such as those caused by green bottle flies and house flies. The typical dose is two pellets (under the tongue) twice daily for one to three days. Echinacea (a well-known cold and flu preventive) in tincture form can be applied directly on any insect bite, including one caused by a mosquito, to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation. Apply as needed.

Caution: Do not use echinacea if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family.