Bites or Stings Find Relief with Herbal Remedies
Let’s say you are taking a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood one afternoon when the
neighbor’s dog decides that you resemble a pork chop and bites you. Or let us say that you take a relaxing dip in
the ocean, only to find that you have dipped headfirst into a pool of jellyfish which stings you. Or let us say
that you are cleaning the attic when you realize that you have disturbed the spring sleep of a hornet’s nest.
Whatever the case bites and stings can mean serious business. Even minor injuries should be treated by a
health professional. However, if the injury is minor, you can also help find fast relief through several gentle yet
effective herbal home remedies. Here are a few ideas to help treat minor bites or stings.
The most important plant for treating any number of bites or stings is the plantain. The plantain is a common
plant that is loaded with healing tannins. The chemicals contained in plantain act as a kind of astringent that
helps tighten the skin tissue so that the irritation and inflammation can be reduced.
The chemicals in tannins also help draw out the skin. Plantain is an exceedingly common weed that grows in many
places. The plant itself can grow from 6 to 18 inches high, but it can also grow flat to the ground, especially in
high-traffic areas where it is frequently mowed or walked on. The plant is round and waxy. The plant's leaves are a
dull green, and range in size from 3 to 4 inches long.
The leaves contain deep parallel veins that run from the bottom of the leaf to the top. The plantain leaf
usually has a stem those cups inward, much like a trough. The plant grows green flower spikes that resemble pipe
cleaners. These flower spikes usually sprouting from early summer to the middle of fall.
Plantain is your number one ally in fighting the pain and swelling associated with most bites and stings. If you
have a bee sting or mosquito bite, you can use plantain to find fast relief. Use a handful of plantain leaves to
create a fast herbal remedy.
Simply rinse the plantain leaves with cool, clean water, put them in your mouth, chew them up to release the
tannin, and then place a wad of the chewed plantain leaves right over the afflicted are for fast relief. This may
sound strange, but it has helped many find relief for centuries.
If chewing strange leaves doesn’t appeal to you, you can also vigorously rub the leaves with your hands until
the juice is released. If you are suffering from a dog bite, you can also use plantain to create a healing
poultice. First, you must scrub the bite area clean with soap and water. Be as thorough as possible.
Simply use a handful of rinsed plantain leaves in a blender, add a few drops of hot water, and blend on low.
Then apply this mixture directly onto the wound. Place an adhesive gauze over the area, and apply a heat source
over the poultice, you can use a hot water bottle or heat pad over the bites or stings.
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