Melanin: Your Body's Natural Sunscreen - Building Your Solar Callus & Plant Medicine Insights

Melanin: Your Body's Natural Sunscreen - Building Your Solar Callus & Plant Medicine Insights

*Listen to the episode on the Rewilded Wellness podcast, available on: 

iTunes HERE 
Spotify HERE

In a visit to Pete's farm, where we transplanted rosemary, astragalus, and ashwagandha, I was reminded of the powerful relationship between humans, plants, and the sun. This experience inspired me to share some important insights about our body's natural protection mechanisms and the plant allies that support our health.

Humans Are Like Plants: We Need Sun, Water, and Minerals

I had an interesting encounter at Trader Joe's yesterday. When I mentioned I was heading out for a nap in the sun, the cashier immediately cautioned me to "put on sunscreen." While well-intentioned, this comment reflects how disconnected we've become from understanding our body's natural relationship with the sun.

The truth is, humans evolved under the sun. Just like plants need water, sunlight, and nutrients to thrive, our bodies are designed to benefit from regular, gradual sun exposure.

Your Body's Built-In Sunscreen: Melanin

During our lifetime, our skin responds to sun exposure in remarkable ways. The epidermis (surface layer) becomes thicker by adding more cell layers. Simultaneously, specialized cells produce a protective pigment called eumelanin – nature's perfect sunscreen.

This remarkable molecule:
- Absorbs most visible light, appearing dark brown to nearly black
- Absorbs damaging ultraviolet radiation
- Varies in quantity based on genetics and environmental adaptation

Research on human skin pigmentation evolution shows that skin color in prehistory was calibrated to local environmental conditions, primarily local UV levels. People living under strong, year-round UV (near the equator) developed darkly pigmented, highly tannable skin capable of producing abundant eumelanin. Those living with weaker, seasonal UV (northern regions) developed lighter skin with limited pigment-producing abilities.

Building Your Solar Callus

Our ancient ancestors didn't experience sudden sun exposure – their skin gradually adapted to seasonal changes by producing more eumelanin in summer and less in winter. Even those with lighter skin rarely experienced painful sunburns because there was no sudden shock of intense sun exposure.

This gradual adaptation is what I call building a "solar callus" – preparing your skin early in the season so it can handle more intense light as summer progresses. By titrating your sun exposure, you're establishing a basic life habit that allows you to receive the benefits of sunlight while avoiding burns.

To build your solar callus:
- Start with brief sun exposures in spring
- Gradually increase exposure time as the season progresses
- Listen to your body – when your skin turns pink, seek shade
- Stay properly hydrated and consume quality fats (olive oil, butter, ghee, pastured animal fats)
- Avoid seed oils and processed foods with poor-quality fats

Remember: Pink skin doesn't mean you're burned – it means blood is coming to the surface to absorb ultraviolet light. Beyond pink is burning and damaging.

Plant Medicine Allies

Rosemary
Rosemary has long been a favorite of mine, particularly as an essential oil for mental clarity. It's excellent for brain fog, mental exhaustion, forgetfulness, and cloudiness. It's also a rich source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium. While not a primary mineral source (as we typically use small amounts), you can get beneficial "micro-doses" by intentionally adding fresh rosemary to meals or infusions – I've even added it to water kefir with pear for a delicious boost!

Astragalus
I was thrilled when Pete showed me his astragalus seedlings, as it took me back to 2014 when my herbalist introduced me to this potent adaptogen during a period of total burnout. This remarkable herb offers numerous benefits:

- Improves sleep quality by balancing metabolism and hormones
- Contains cycloastragenols and astragalosides that may slow aging by activating telomerase enzyme production for telomere regeneration
- Supports healthy testosterone levels
- Maintains healthy blood flow and circulation
- Helps build muscle and improve endurance (used by warriors and athletes for over 2,000 years)

For those interested in using astragalus:
- The recommended tincture dose is 20-60 drops three times daily
- For a gentler approach, add three to six grams of dried root per 12 ounces of water in bone broth
- Consider rotating adaptogens every couple months rather than using one long

Remineralize Your Body, Reclaim Your Energy

Introducing "Remineralize" - My Foundational Mineral Program

Remineralize is my comprehensive program designed to help you strategically reintroduce minerals into your life—without requiring a hair test upfront. While it doesn't replace the individualized insights of a hair mineral analysis, it equips you with the essential foundations of mineral balancing for whole-body health, helping you reclaim your "electrical spark" and natural ENERGY.

Throughout years of working with clients one-on-one, I found myself repeatedly teaching the core concepts now consolidated in this program. I created Remineralize because I believe everyone deserves access to this vital knowledge, regardless of where they are in their health journey.

Why Remineralize Before Hair Testing?

A hair analysis (HTMA) represents deep, corrective work that reveals your individual biochemistry. It's most effective when done repeatedly over time and requires a significant commitment—of time, energy, and financial investment with a skilled practitioner.

I wanted to offer a way for people to begin remineralizing NOW by:

- Getting essential minerals back into their water and food
- Improving digestion and nutrient absorption
- Reducing stress that depletes minerals
- Deconstructing the allopathic mindset that dominates modern healthcare

Education about remineralization is imperative for optimal health, and I see it as a practice that creates lifelong habits. Since 2014, I've been implementing these principles for myself and my children. Progress can feel incredibly SLOW at times—yet that doesn't make it less effective. Think of it as ascending a spiral staircase; when you occasionally glance back, you realize just how far you've truly come.

Who Benefits from Remineralize?

Remineralizing can benefit you:
- Before getting a hair test, as foundational preparation
- During your mineral balancing journey with HTMA
- After stabilizing from intensive mineral work
- At ANY point in your health evolution

I personally view remineralization as a lifelong commitment—one I plan to maintain as long as I inhabit this human vessel on Earth.

Ready for More Personalized Support?

If you're seeking one-on-one guidance for your specific health concerns, you can always book a breakthrough session with me to discuss your unique situation and goals.

Links for More Information:
- Greens episode featuring Pete's Farm
- Safe Summer Sun Sessions
- Astragalus Tincture
- Adrenal Support Formula

Learn More About Sun Exposure:
- Human skin before sunscreens - The Conversation
- Melanin - Cleveland Clinic

For more detailed information on building your solar callus, check out Carrie B Wellness's excellent video: Building Your Solar Callus