Bug Stopping Herbal Remedies

With all the bug sprays on the shelf, why should you opt for herbal remedies to stop those nasty skin-stinging bugs? The best reason for choosing herbal remedies to keep your skin free from bug bites is that they are safe, nontoxic, and effective. Some bug-stopping herbal remedies are even downright pleasant. Most commercial bug-off sprays and lotions are effective at fending off insects and soothing irritated bug bites.

However, many people are finding that several of these commercial bug-off formulations contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to our bodies. Why use these commercial formulations when there are many perfectly effective solutions that are safe, nontoxic, natural and effective? Here is a brief overview of the most common natural herbal remedies that can be used to keep the bugs away, or to soothe irritated skin.

Tea tree oil, lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil: These natural, concentrated oils are a force to be reckoned with. All three types of oils are famous with herbalists for their ability to neutralize toxicity, keep the itchiness at bay, and reduce skin inflammation. Simply add a few drops of any of these three oils into clay or baking soda mixtures. This will help increase their effectiveness. Or simply apply a drop or two of any one of these three essential oils directly onto the skin or bug bites.

For further disinfectant purposes, you can also mix any of these three oils directly into honey. Another rule of thumb when using essential oils is to choose any essential oil that has a spicy, pungent or woodsy odor, such as cedar wood, citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.

Another common plant that can help treat bug bites is the plantain. The common plantain is a weed that can often be found in yards and roadways of the United States. It is well known among traditional herbalists for its “drawing” properties. Simply use the fresh herb, or you can dry plantain, and use as a drawing salve.

One common and easy way to prepare the plantain herb is to chop it finely, and then add water. Then apply this mixture to a sting or bite. After applying the mixture to the bite or sting, you will feel the area begin to warm. This means that the toxins are being drawn from the skin. Continue adding more plantain until the swelling and pain has subsided.

Although always a controversial herb, tobacco contains many medicinal properties that have made it a mainstay of the herbalist’s medicine cabinet. Loose tobacco leaves can be applied topically to help ease the pain caused by insect bites. One easy preparation is to combine water or apple cider vinegar into a small bunch of tobacco leaves in order to make a paste that can be applied topically to the site of the insect bite.

You can leave on the tobacco paste until the swelling has subsided. However, if you notice the area becoming irritated, remove the paste completely. Wash off the area with lukewarm water if you notice any irritation.