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!
This rich and creamy salve is made with plantain leaves grown on our homestead that has not been sprayed for over 15 years. While often considered a weed, plantain is actually loaded with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, as well as vitamins and minerals, making it an incredibly beneficial herb. This salve is wonderful for soothing bug bites or stings, sunburn, small wounds, skin irritations such as eczema or acne, and more. Our formula allows for soft application without pressure which is great for any wounds or sensitive skin.
Ingredients: Plantain-infused organic extra-virgin olive oil, organic unrefined shea butter, local beeswax from organically raised bees
Scent: A subtle smell of beeswax
Packaging: 1 oz push top tin
Important information:
Not for internal use
Always do your own research and talk to your medical health professional before introducing any new herbs into your daily routine. Be aware of any allergies you may have and herbal interactions with medications you may take.
These products and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.
This rich and creamy salve is made with lavender, organically grown right here on the Calico and Twine homestead! Lavender has soothing anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, just to name a few. This salve is great for reducing inflammation and soothing skin irritations such as eczema, acne, rashes, and more. Lavender is also calming emotionally and mentally, and is good for stress.
Our formula allows for soft application without pressure which is great for any wounds or sensitive skin.
This batch does not contain essential oils making it gentle enough for babies and children.
Ingredients: Lavender infused organic extra-virgin olive oil, organic unrefined shea butter, local beeswax
Scent: Subtle smell of lavender and beeswax
Packaging: 1 oz push top tin
Important information:
Not for internal use
Lavender is generally safe, however, always do your own research and talk to your medical health professional before introducing any new herbs or essential oils into your daily routine. Be aware of any allergies you may have and herbal interactions with medications you may take.
These products and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.
This rich and creamy salve is made with dandelion flowers grown on our homestead that has not been sprayed for over 15 years. Loaded with vitamins and minerals and high in antioxidants, dandelion is an incredibly beneficial herb to the skin. This salve is wonderful for soothing skin irritations such as eczema, acne, rashes, and more. Our formula allows for soft application without pressure which is great for any wounds or sensitive skin.
Want to learn more about the benefits of dandelions? Check out this post here: https://www.calicoandtwine.com/blog/dandelion-benefits-and-uses-plant-medicine
Ingredients: Dandelion-infused organic extra-virgin olive oil, organic unrefined shea butter, local beeswax from organically raised bees
Scent: A subtle smell of dandelion and beeswax
Packaging: 1 oz push top tin
Important information:
Not for internal use
Always do your own research and talk to your medical health professional before introducing any new herbs into your daily routine. Be aware of any allergies you may have and herbal interactions with medications you may take.
These products and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.
This rich and creamy salve is made with calendula, organically grown right here on the Calico and Twine homestead! Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial, and anti-viral properties. This salve is great for soothing skin irritations such as eczema, acne, rashes, and more. Our formula allows for soft application without pressure which is great for any wounds or sensitive skin.
Ingredients: Calendula infused organic extra-virgin olive oil, organic unrefined shea butter, local beeswax from organically raised bees, organic orange essential oil
Scent: A subtle natural smell of shea butter and beeswax
Packaging: 1 oz push top tin
Important information:
Not for internal use
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not use calendula internally. Please do your own research before using topically as well.
Always do your own research and talk to your medical health professional before introducing any new herbs into your daily routine. Be aware of any allergies you may have and herbal interactions with medications you may take.
These products and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.