Nightmare

Enjoy your time outdoors, knowing nature can provide you with remedies for
the occasional sting or bite you may unexpectedly acquire along the way!



Don't let the discomfort of insect bites and stings take the edge off your
Summer fun. Make sure you use herbal insect repellents and sleep under a net
during the mosquito season. If you're still bitten, take the irritation out of
stings with simple but effective herbal and kitchen first aid remedies.
Types of bites
Try to identify the insect that has bitten you so you can apply the right
treatment. Bee, and ant stings are acidic and need alkalis to neutralize them;
a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water or crushed parsley leaf is
effective. Wasp slings are alkaline and need acids such as lemon juice or cider
vinegar to reduce itching. Remove a stinger with sterilized tweezers. grasping it
below the poison sac.

Herbs to treat bites and rashes
When out in the country, use wild herbs to combat irritating bites and
stings. The leaves of dock, chickweed or plantain can effectively ease nettle
stings
From simple lo serious
Insect bites are often just annoying, but multiple bee and wasp stings may
need hospital attention and, in rare cases, may result in anaphylactic shock
You can rub dock leaves on your skin to ease the sting of nettles.
Fortunately, they are commonly found growing close together. The aloe vera plant has
a soothing gel in its green branches that's a cure-all for burns and stings.

Insect bites, especially in tropical countries, can carry infections.
Antiseptic herbal creams based on marigold or aloe vera are cooling Herbs for bites
and stings.
You can make herbal remedies with ingredients found in your own backyard to
treat minor irritations you probably picked up in the same place,and can
reduce the risk of bacterial infection.


Aloe vera
This cactuslike plant has fleshy, succulent leaves packed with natural
healing juices. Apply as a cream or gel to insect bites and bee stings for pain
relief. Anthraquinones in the leaves have anti-inflammatory properties, and
aloectin B stimulates the body's immune system, reducing the risk of infection.
Use a freshly cut branch of aloe vera for the most effective result.

Arnica
A member of the daisy family, arnica thrives in the high mountain areas of
America and Europe. Its scented yellow flowers were used by tribes of Native
Americans for treating skin disorders. Ointments, gels and creams are prepared
from its dried, crushed flowers Apply it to stings and bites to reduce pain
and relieve irritation. Its active ingredients are sequisterpenoid lactones.
Arnica also contains helanalin, which can cause contact dermatitis. Check for
skin sensitivity before applying, and always use this plant well diluted.


CHICKWEED
A scrambling weed, chickweed is a traditional European folk herb. The aerial
parts are mashed to create poultices, ointments or creams. Chickweed gives
cooling and anti-inflarmmatory relief from insect bites and stings Chickweed
contains saponins, which reduce skin irritation.

Plantain
Dried plantain is easy to store.
The crushed fresh leaves of common plantain make an excellent first aid
treatment for bee and wasp stings. This perennial herb grows wild in grassland
and hedgerows throughout North America. Its leaves contain plant oils, tannins,
mucilages and anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Plantain can be applied as an
ointment or a body lotion.

Marigold
Flower petals from the marigold's orange, daisy like flowers can be made
into healing infusions, lotions and tinctures. Apply externally to gently soothe
bites and stings Marigold petals contain resins, flavonoids and glycosides,
which reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Apply this tincture with an
iced compress to help reduce any swelling.
A tincture of marigold petals gives relief.

Onion
The humble onion makes an excellent kitchen remedy for Bee and nettle stings
and for mosquito bites. Simply place a slice of onion over the affected area
for rapid pain relief; the juices in onions are analgesic. Anti-inflammatory
enzymes in the onion break down the prostaglandins produced by the body in
response to trauma.
Onions contain antiseptics that fight bacterial infection.


MAKING THEM

If you find yourself covered with mosquito bites, horseradish can help to
break down the toxins released into the bloodstream
To make a horseradish tincture, you will need"
* 2 oz horseradish root
1 pint alcohol
1 Grate the horseradish root and steep it in the alcohol for 3-4 days, stir
the mixture twice a day.
2 Strain it through muslin at the end of this period, and store the liquid
in dark, sterilized glass bottles. Apply your tincture to the affected area
when you suffer from a bad bite.
You can create your own horseradish tincture with easily bought items

*Prolong the life of your tincture by storing small amounts of it in tightly
fastened tinted glass bottles.