There are a variety of ways to soothe and help heal sunburn (and minor burns . . . serious burns, especially chemical burns, need medical attention):

Water is very important. Whenever you get burned, the affected skin becomes very dehydrated. And so, making sure to drink plenty of water (at least the suggested 8 cups a day) will help rehydrate the skin and speed up the healing process. An ice water compress also helps. Soak a folded paper towel or a small face towel in a bowl of ice water, ring to get rid of excess water (but not too much), then place it on the burn and repeat when the compress gets warm.

Plain yogurt, the same plain yogurt you find at the market, is very helpful in soothing the burned skin and it is also highly probable that the bacterial cultures found in yogurt help heal the burn. Take a spoonful of yogurt and dab it gently but generously onto the burn and spread, again gently, to cover. Once that round of yogurt dries, reapply.

Aloe Vera, a succulent plant, has fleshy leaves that release gel when the leaves are cut. This gel has healing and moisturizing properties and is very good as a burn treatment. Just cut off a leave of the plant and spread the gel onto the burn. Although fresh from the plant is most potent, one can buy aloe vera gel by the bottle at some stores . . . Whole Foods may have it. Just keep applying the aloe vera gel on the burn.

Potatoe can also be used for burns. Just peel a raw potatoe and cut it into smaller pieces and place it on the burned skin. I’ve never tried this method myself, but I have been told it works.

Honey soothes and helps heal burns as well. Just spread a small spoonful or two (depending on the size of the burn) onto the skin. Just keep an eye on it because honey liquifies when it is heated up.

Cucumber is a cooling food and good for burns, especially sunburn. All you have to do is spread cucumber juice on the burn or cut the cucumber into appropriate sizes and place the slices on the burn.