Natural alternatives for bites & stings

We are all currently basking in the gorgeous summer sunshine, but I'm sure some of us will unfortunately end up with the odd insect bite, or bee/wasp sting.  Last night I was feasted upon by some creature whilst I slept and now have several painful sores on my face and lip.

We can spray ourselves with expensive repellents that may or may not work on us and still get bitten by something else!  But can you believe that nature holds its own remedies to treat our maladies after we've been a main meal for some hungry midge!(slight hint of sarcasm, sorry), knowledge that we, the public, have largely forgotten about.  So please read on to discover a few insightful facts that could help you out if you find yourself at the mercy of the insect kingdom, you're first aid kit is empty and the local chemist is shut!

Firstly, try & identify what has actually tried to make a meal of you as this will dictate what treatment to use.  For instance, bee and ant stings are acidic so require an alkaline response to neutralise them.  A paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water applied to the spot will help, or alternatively use a crushed parsley leaf.

On the reverse side, wasp stings are alkaline so require an acidic remedy.  Use lemon juice, or cider vinegar to reduce the stinging/itching.  If you can see the stinger, use tweezers to remove it, grasping the sting below the poison sac.

Stung by a nettle? Use chickweed, plantain or a dock leaf and rub over the area.  Dock leaves are usually growing near nettles so that's quite handy, only don't get stung again attempting to grab one!

Dock leaf and a stinging nettle

Aloe vera is a cactus shaped plant that has a healing, soothing gel inside. Apply to insect bites and bee stings.  The gel contains natural anti-inflammatories and stimulates the immune system to reduce the risk of infection.

Chickweed can be crushed to produce a poultice or be added to creams.  It is cooling & anti-inflammatory and brings relief to bee stings and bites.

Crushed plantain leaves are useful in treating wasp and bee stings due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Marigold petals, crushed, can be made into healing infusions, tinctures and lotions.  The petals are anti-inflammatory, prevent infection, used as a tincture with a compress, reduces swelling from bites and stings.

Finally, the good old onion, ideal for bee and nettle stings as well as mosquito bites.  Place a halved onion over the area for rapid pain relief. Onion juice is analgesic, and has anti inflammatory enzymes that act as antiseptics, reducing the risk of infection and act as an antiseptic.

So I hope you find something of interest or of use to yourself-me? I'm going to sit in the garden with an onion on my face

MB