Natural Herbal Beauty

BITES AND STINGS

Stings should be treated immediately. In the case of a bee sting, remove the sting straightaway.

Banana

Apply the inside of the skin to the painful area.

Castor oil plant

Rub castor oil onto ticks and tickbites.

Vinegar

Effective for soothing wasp stings. Dab on repeatedly. (more…)

Everyone experiences unexpected injuries and illnesses at one time or another, and quick treatment may be essential both to alleviate pain and to prevent the problem from escalating.

Bruises

Place anything cold on the affected part as soon as possible, and leave for about 10-15 minutes. An ice pack, a bag of frozen peas from the freezer, or simply a washcloth soaked in cold water will do.

Arnica is the best remedy for mild to moderate bruising, and hypericum for severe bruising. Apply either as a cream over the entire area after icing and drying the bruise. The homeopathic remedy arnica 6c will also help, or if the bones under the bruise feel sore, symphytum 6c (alternatives are ruta and bellis per). For a black eye, lachesis 6c is best. In all cases, take one tablet every hour for four hours. (more…)

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Bees will sting only if they or their hives are attacked, as the hooked barb on the sting cannot be withdrawn and the insect dies defending itself.Wasps have a straight sting and can, rather unpleasantly, repeatedly attack their victims.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.