Relieve the Itch and Speed the Healing of Heat Rash.

Heat rash is a discomfort, not a disease. It occurs when sweat becomes stuck in the pores and spreads into surrounding tissue, irritating it.
As a result, you're not only overheated and sweaty; you also have tiny red or pink, blister like bumps that are extremely itchy on your chest, back, and even your armpits or the creases of your elbows or groin

This "prickly heat" should go away in 3 to 4 days without you having to do anything at all, short of staying cool and dry, wearing light cotton clothing, and exposing the affected area to the air. If you want to speed its exit, however, or relieve the itching, alternative healers suggest these remedies.

HYDROTHERAPY: Minty ltch Relief
Taking a cool bath with peppermint added to the water is great for relieving the itch of a heat rash, says Bradley Bongiovanni, N.D., a naturo-pathic physician in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Wrap a cup or two of fresh peppermint leaves in cheesecloth, fill the tub with cool water, immerse the mint in the water for 3 to 5 minutes, then soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this as often as necessary to relieve the itching.

CUMIN AND CORIANDER: Ayurvedic Relief
In Ayurveda, the ancient healing system from India, a heat rash is seen as an imbalance of the "pitta," or fire element, in the body.
You can help cool pitta with coriander and cumin seeds, says Pratima Raichur, a naturopathic doctor in New York City. Soak I teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds in 12 ounces of water overnight. "In the morning, strain and drink the liquid," Dr. Raichur says. Do this daily until the rash goes away.

CALENDULA: Soothing and Healing
Using a water-based gel of the herb calendula on the rash can speed healing, Dr. Bongiovanni says. But avoid calendula ointment or cream; it cuts off the flow of air to the rash, which could make it worse. Use this remedy as needed.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL: Alone or with Calendula
Essential oil of lavender helps normalize and regenerate skin cells and is very healing for any kind of skin problem, says Therese Francis, Ph.D., an herbalist in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You can use a drop or two of lavender oil directly on the rash three or four times a clay.
You can also add a drop or two of lavender oil to calendula gel to give it even more healing power, Dr. Francis says.