Natural Herbal Beauty

Insect bites and stings

For most people insect bites and stings in temperate zones lead to little more than local irritation which eases in a few days. However, for an unfortunate minority stings lead to severe allergic reactions which can range from weeping and persistent dermatitis to anaphylactic shock characterised by dizziness, sickness, breathing problems and marked swelling of the affected area. When severe, this can be fatal. Immediate emergency medical treatment is vital in such cases.

Bees will sting only if they or their hives are attacked, as the hooked barb on the sting cannot be withdrawn and the insect dies defending itself.Wasps have a straight sting and can, rather unpleasantly, repeatedly attack their victims. Bee stings are acidic and in traditional first aid were treated with blue-bag (an alkaline starch used in laundry) or bicarbonate of soda, while alkaline wasp stings were soothed by vinegar. Both, however, respond well to slices of onion or leek.

To soothe irritant mosquito and gnat bites try rubbing them with fresh common plantain leaves, aloe vera sap or lemon balm leaves, lemon juice, slices of cucumber or tomato, or use infusions or ointments containing sage. If bites become infected, echinacea or tea tree cream can be helpful.

Keeping the insects away is another way of tackling the problem and several herbal oils will help here: tea tree and lemon balm are ideal sprinkled on clothing; at barbecues or when sitting out of doors, try burning citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) candles.

For most women the menopause passes by with little more inconvenience than occasional hot flushes and night sweats. For others, it can be a time of major emotional upheaval, depression, weight gain and heavy bleeding.

Today, many of these symptoms may be treated by hormone replacement therapy which boosts oestrogen levels, although critics still have doubts about the long-term effects of such treatment, For some women (including those with a high risk of osteoporosis) HRT can be a preferred solution, but for those who want to complete this transition period in their lives as naturally as possible, (more…)

The value of medicinal herbs was based to a considerable extent on the Doctrine of Signatures, which taught that plants carried on them evidence of the healing use of the plant or signs of the ailment for which it was a cure. William Coles, a contemporary of Culpeper, wrote Adam in Eden, and The Art of Simpling. He believed in the Doctrine of Signatures and says “Though Sin and Sathan have plunged mankinds into an Ocean of Infirmities Yet the mercy of God which is over all his Workes Maketh Grasse to grow upon the Mountaines and Herbs for the use of Men and hath given them particular signatures whereby a Man may read even in legible characters the Use of them.’ ‘Walnuts bear the whole Signature of the Head, the outwardmost green barke answerable to the thick skin whereunto the head is covered, and a salt made of it is singularly good for wounds in that part, as the Kernell is good for the braines which it resembles.’ (more…)

It is written that St. John’s wort oil is the cure for many skin conditions, including sores that refuse to heal, old wounds, boils, abscesses, nasty cuts, bites and stings, and on and on. This oil is an ancient time-tested remedy that’s nice to have ready against future need. Here’s a very old “receipt” for preparing this herbal oil. You’ll notice that the directions differ from the general instructions.

• 1 fresh plant full of just-bloomed flowers

• 1 cup pure water (bottled or spring water)
• 18 ounces virgin olive oil (more…)