Natural remedies can be a great alternative to bug sprays, which often contain chemicals such as DEET and permethrin that can have negative effects for many.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as the saying goes, and when it comes to insect bites, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Several plant essential oils are useful for their insect repellent properties. Some of the most common are pennyroyal, cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, cinnamon leaf oil and catnip oil. These can be added to water to create a bug spray. Please note: pennyroyal should be avoided by pregnant women. As an alternative, citronella candles are widely available.
If you do your best to keep insects at bay but still get a bite or sting, the main goals are to soothe irritation and heal the skin. The following herbs may be useful in this case.
Natural remedies for insect bites and stings
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint oil or crushed leaves are cooling and can soothe itchy or inflamed bites.
Plantain (Plantago Major)
Fresh plantain leaf can be used to provide immediate relief from insect bites and stings. To make a compress, fresh plantain leaf can be mixed with bentonite clay and water to form a paste. Alternatively, a leaf can be chewed and placed directly over the bite.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula oil or fresh leaves can soothe irritated, itchy skin and promote healthy healing of bites and stings. A simple salve can be made with Calendula, beeswax and antiseptic essential oils, such as tea tree, rosemary and lavender.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Comfrey oil or fresh juice from leaves can be used topically for many skin conditions, including rashes, abrasions and wounds. It can soothe itching and irritation in bites and stings.
Witch hazel (Hamamelis)
Witch hazel distillate is widely available at pharmacies and is an over-the-counter relief for minor skin irritations. Make an itch-relieving compress by mixing 3 parts baking soda with 1.5 parts witch hazel.
These remedies are made with easy-to-find herbs and ingredients. It’s wise to have a few (or all) on hand, especially in the summer months when bites, stings, scrapes and scratches inevitably occur.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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