Insect Bites and Stings Folk Remedies
Hardly anyone can avoid getting stung or bitten by some sort of insect, especially during the warm months. The venom released under the skin can cause several irritating symptoms. Generally the area will feel hot, sometimes swell, usually itch and most always be painful.
But, relief can be as close as your spice rack or even your own front yard. Many herbs and even a few weeds have medicinal powers that will take some of the “sting” out of insect bites.
Plantain is a common weed that’s found growing in almost every lawn, the leaves can be ground into a pulp and used as a poultice. After grinding the leaves you can add a few drops of water to make it easier to spread over a bite or sting. Plantain not only relieves the pain it can also cause the swelling, heat and allergic reactions to disappear!
If you’re out in the woods and run upon some biting or stinging insects, a quick help is to cover the area with clay or mud. Just try to find the cleanest mud you can! I know that “clean” mud contradicts itself, but try to find some in areas that are less likely to be contaminated by animals. Maybe under low growing plants or shrubs.
Garlic and onions both work in the same way, they break down the chemicals released by the body in response to pain. Either can be cooked until they’re soft and then mashed to make a poultice that is then just applied to the affected area.
If it’s summer time and your garden includes calendula flowers, then you have a remedy close at hand! To help relieve the swelling and pain associated with bites and stings, just pick a fresh flower and rub on the area.
Several essential oils help to reduce inflammation and neutralize toxicity. Tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender can be applied to the area, this remedy will also minimize the itching associated with insect stings and bites.
We all know that tobacco use is bad for us, so who would have ever thought that it might be a good idea to keep a bag of chewing tobacco in the first aid kit? Tobacco does have medicinal properties, pain from insect bites and stings and be relieved almost instantly by applying loose tobacco. Add enough water or apple cider vinegar to a small amount of leaves to make a paste and apply directly to the area.
Add a little warm water to some neem powder to make a thick paste, then apply to the affected area. This process should be repeated at least twice each day.
Combine one third cup of water along with one cup of cilantro leaves in a blender and blend to a pulp. Strain the mixture and apply to the bite or sting several times a day until relief is achieved. Mixture should be kept refrigerated for additional use.
Tea is also an excellent source of relief form bites or stings. Black tea seems to be the most effective, place a tea bag in water and squeeze out the excess for a ready made compress!
Vinegar is another item that’s already in most homes, it can be poured directly on the sting or mixed with baking soda to create a paste for almost instant relief of pain.
Another fresh growing weed we all seem to have are dandelions! Break the stem or root and rub the juice onto the area to relieve pain.
To draw out the toxins that cause itching, inflammation and swelling, make a paste using activated charcoal and water or rub with a piece of fresh sliced onion.