Hey friends, Gubba here.
If you follow me anywhere, you know I LOVE THE SUN! Maybe not the sun-replacement LED bulb, but the real star in the sky that heals and brings life to everything on Earth.
Imagine walking into a doctor’s office today and being prescribed sunshine as medicine. No pill bottles, no chemical creams—just the simple, healing power of sunlight.
Sounds radical in our modern world, right? But just over a century ago, heliotherapy (sunlight therapy) was a mainstream treatment. Patients were wheeled into sunlit rooms, placed on balconies, and exposed to natural sunlight to heal everything from tuberculosis to skin disorders.
Today, most of us have been conditioned to fear the sun. We’re told to avoid it, cover up, and slather on chemical sunscreens. Yet our ancestors—and even early medical pioneers—understood something we’ve forgotten: the sun is life-giving and deeply healing.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I used to be scared of the sun and would slather on toxic sunscreens daily and stayed out of the sun as much as possible…ugh!
There is a reason they didn’t want you outside during 2020…because sunshine HEALS!
What Is Heliotherapy?
The word “heliotherapy” comes from helios, the Greek word for sun. It refers to the therapeutic use of sunlight for healing.
Early Medical Use
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, doctors across Europe and America began using heliotherapy to treat:
- Tuberculosis (especially bone and skin TB)
- Rickets (caused by vitamin D deficiency)
- Wounds and skin infections
- Psoriasis and eczema
- General weakness and fatigue
One of the most famous heliotherapy pioneers was Dr. Auguste Rollier of Switzerland, who built entire sanatoriums designed to maximize patients’ sun exposure. His results were so remarkable that heliotherapy spread worldwide.
The Science Behind Sunshine and Skin
Fast forward to today, and modern science has confirmed what these early doctors saw firsthand. Sunlight is not the enemy—it’s essential for skin and overall health.
Vitamin D Production
When UVB rays hit your skin, your body produces vitamin D, a hormone critical for immune function, bone health, and skin repair.
A 2012 review in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology confirmed that vitamin D produced from sun exposure improves skin barrier function and promotes wound healing.
Nitric Oxide and Circulation
Sunlight doesn’t just trigger vitamin D. It also releases nitric oxide, a molecule that improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure. This helps deliver nutrients to skin cells and promotes healing.
Mental Health and Hormones
Exposure to natural light regulates circadian rhythms and boosts serotonin, which supports both mood and skin vitality. A 2020 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that increased sun exposure reduces depression symptoms and improves overall wellbeing.
Why Heliotherapy Disappeared
If heliotherapy worked so well, why did it disappear from mainstream medicine?
The Rise of Rockefeller Medicine
In the early 20th century, medicine shifted dramatically. With the rise of pharmaceuticals, petroleum-based drugs became the new standard. Natural therapies—including heliotherapy—were branded “quackery.” Not because they didn’t work, but because you can’t patent the sun.
The Demonization of the Sun
Around the same time, campaigns began warning people about the “dangers” of sun exposure. Sunscreen companies seized the opportunity, creating a multi-billion-dollar industry based on fear of the sun.
The irony? In demonizing the sun, we’ve created generations deficient in vitamin D—leading to weakened immune systems, brittle bones, and yes, worsening skin health.
Safe Sunlight for Modern Skin
Of course, too much sun can damage the skin. The key is balance—embracing sun exposure in a way that nourishes without harm.
Tips for Safe Sun Exposure
- Morning and evening sun is gentlest and provides circadian rhythm support.
- Midday sun (in moderation) is best for vitamin D production.
- Listen to your skin—step into shade before burning.
- Support your skin barrier with protective, nutrient-rich balms.
That’s why I created my Arvoti Sun Care Balm. Made with tallow and natural oils, it supports skin health during sun exposure without toxic chemicals. It is the ONLY sun balm my family uses.
The Overlooked Connection: Seed Oils and Sunburns
One of the most overlooked factors in how your skin reacts to the sun isn’t just how much time you spend outside—it’s what you’re eating.
Modern diets are loaded with seed oils (canola, soybean, sunflower, safflower, corn, cottonseed). These oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are unstable and prone to oxidation. When these unstable fats are incorporated into your skin cells, they make your skin more vulnerable to free radical damage from UV exposure.
Do seed oils cause sunburns?
A 2019 paper in Free Radical Biology and Medicine highlighted that oxidized omega-6 fatty acids accelerate oxidative stress when exposed to sunlight, increasing the risk of skin inflammation and sun damage. In other words: the more seed oils in your diet, the easier you burn.
Contrast that with traditional diets rich in animal fats like butter, lard, and tallow. These fats are stable, resistant to oxidation, and packed with fat-soluble vitamins that protect the skin. Many people notice that when they cut seed oils and return to natural fats, their skin becomes more resilient in the sun—burning less and tanning more evenly.
This means two things:
- Sunburns aren’t just about the sun—they’re about your diet.
- Nourishing fats like tallow protect from the inside out, while balms made with tallow protect from the outside in.
Eating with the Seasons: Foods That Support Your Skin in the Sun
Here’s something fascinating: nature already provides the foods our skin needs to handle the seasons. When summer brings more sunlight, the earth produces foods that naturally protect us from sun damage.
Antioxidant-Rich Summer Fruits
Berries, cherries, and stone fruits like peaches and plums are loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, anthocyanins, and polyphenols. These compounds combat free radicals generated by UV exposure, helping prevent skin inflammation and premature aging.
A 2017 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that diets high in antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the skin after sun exposure.
Tomatoes and Lycopene
Tomatoes ripen in the summer sun, and they contain lycopene, a carotenoid shown to reduce sunburn severity. A 2011 trial published in the British Journal of Dermatology showed that participants who consumed tomato paste daily had 40% less sunburn after UV exposure compared to those who didn’t.
Leafy Greens and Carotenoids
Summer greens like kale, spinach, and collards are rich in beta-carotene and lutein, which protect skin from UV-induced oxidative damage. They also support collagen health, keeping skin firm and youthful.
Healthy Fats for Stability
While antioxidant foods neutralize free radicals, stable animal fats like butter, lard, and tallow build a strong foundation. These fats strengthen cell membranes, making your skin more resilient in the sun compared to unstable seed oils.
Hydration from Seasonal Produce
Cucumbers, melons, and zucchini—all abundant in summer—are water-rich foods that keep skin hydrated and plump, helping it handle the heat.
The Wisdom of Nature
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The foods that ripen under the same sun that shines on your skin are the very foods that help protect you from it. That’s not coincidence—it’s design.
By eating with the seasons—fresh fruits, vegetables, and stable fats—you’re working with nature, not against it. And when paired with nourishing topical support, like Arvoti’s Sun Care Balm, you’re giving your skin everything it needs to thrive under the sun.
My Journey with Sunlight
When I stopped fearing the sun and started embracing it, I noticed real changes. My mood improved, my sleep deepened, and my skin actually looked healthier. Instead of hiding indoors or drowning myself in sunscreen, I learned how to let the sun work with my body, not against it.
And every time I return to the sun—whether it’s sunrise barefoot in the yard or tending the homestead garden at midday—I’m reminded of what our ancestors knew all along: sunlight is real medicine.
Heliotherapy as a Lost Medicine
Heliotherapy wasn’t fringe medicine—it was respected, trusted, and effective. Doctors prescribed the sun because they saw real healing in their patients.
Then came the rise of pharmaceuticals, and the sun was rebranded as the enemy. But if you look past the fear, the truth is still there: our bodies were designed to thrive with sunlight.
On my homestead, I choose to embrace that truth. I wake with the sun, let my skin drink it in, and protect it not with toxins, but with nourishment.
Because sometimes, the best medicine is as simple as stepping into the light.
FAQ
Q1: Is it safe to practice heliotherapy today?
Yes, when done responsibly. Limit exposure to avoid burns, and pair with nourishing skincare. Small, regular doses of sunlight are more beneficial than rare, intense exposure.
Q2: Can I get vitamin D from windows or indoor light?
No. Glass blocks UVB rays, which are needed for vitamin D synthesis. Artificial light doesn’t provide the same benefits.
Q3: How much sun do I need for healthy skin?
It depends on skin tone and location. Most people need 10–30 minutes of midday sun a few times per week to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
Q4: Should I avoid sunscreen completely?
Not necessarily. But daily, all-over use of chemical sunscreens is not healthy and could be harming your body’s delicate systems. Instead, balance natural exposure with shade, clothing, and natural balms for longer times outdoors.
Q5: Can sunlight really improve skin conditions like eczema or acne?
Yes. Studies show that moderate UV exposure can reduce inflammation and improve certain skin conditions. Always consult your own body’s response, as everyone’s skin is different.
