Natural Bug Bite And Sting Relief for Summer
It’s summer and the bugs are biting! I thought it would be the perfect time to share some natural remedies for bites and stings. Whether you need relief from the itch or pain, these tricks will be handy to know this season.
Plantain
Plantain is a common “weed” found in many lawns. Like most “weeds” it is actually an incredibly beneficial medicinal herb. There is a time-old trick for bug bites and stings and it may sound a little weird, but you pick fresh plantain leaves, chew them up, and apply them to the bite or sting. This is called a spit poultice and is a great method to be familiar with.
Always make sure you forage plantain from a yard that hasn’t been chemically treated. If you don’t have access to fresh plantains, our Plantain Homestead Salve would be a great alternative.
Bug Bite Paste
As a child I was prone to bad reactions from mosquito bites and some of them got scarily large. This simple combination of baking soda and water is something my mom has used ever since I can remember. This paste sucks the poison out which helps with the itch and ultimately helps them heal faster. I’ve carried this trick with me into adulthood and find myself using it every summer.
what you need
1 tablespoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of filtered water
Mix the baking soda and water together in a bowl and apply generously to your bug bite. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. The paste will harden and will then easily flake off. Rinse the bug bite and apply coconut oil or an herbal salve to sooth. Do this a couple times daily or as needed, until the swelling and itching goes down.
Lavender, Peppermint, Melaleuca, frankincense
These 4 essential oils are antibacterial, healing, and soothing. High quality essential oils can be added to the Bug Bite Paste above, or applied in a salve form. Our Lavender Homestead Salve is works wonders for itch relief. Peppermint is very cooling and can help with the heat of a bite or sting. Just be sure to use essential oils in very small amounts with safe dilution rates.
Milk, Honey, Oats
These are 3 common household ingredients all known for soothing and calming skin issues. If you don’t have essential oils or access to fresh herbs, head to the kitchen and reach for milk, honey, or oats! You can apply the milk and honey directly or add them to a warm bath. Oats can be blended and mixed with some water to form a paste and applied directly or added to a warm bath as well. On their own or combined together, these ingredients can relieve itching, swelling, or pain.
Do you have any bug bite or sting tricks up your sleeve? Share your home remedies in the comments below!
