Treating Insect Bites

[bluelacedredhead]

Yesterday, while rototilling and planting, it seems I became an afternoon smorgasbord for a swarm of Blackflies. I have several welts on my person. Arms, legs, even my ears. I've tried baking soda paste and a commercial product called AFterbite. Both provided a quick temporary relief from the itch; not much affect on the swelling though. .

In the past few days, we've had a few mentions in discussion threads, regarding the medicinal properties of plants.
Brook spoke of the many faces of a passionfruit and CreationGroans gave us a rundown on the versatility of the common Dandelion. Which it seems is not be considered Common hereafter.
This led to me wondering if anything in the plantworld might help 24+ hours after the fact, or am I doomed to just wait this out??
What if I had applied something (aloe for instance) within say, an hour after realizing I had been bitten??
(I seem to recall something about an enzyme from passionfruit in meat tenderizer??making it a potential treatment for bites??)

[Brook]

I don't know about black flies, which actually bite. But for stinging insects, calendula is often helpful.

Application is by tincture, wash, or succus. Or just pick and crush a flower and apply it to the sting site.

A poultice of witch hazel is often used for treating stings and venomous bites.

In both case, application should be fairly quickly after the bite.

Friend Wife finds the application of clear nailpolish relieves the itching of stings and bites, even when applied later on. Whether this would work 24 hours later is an open question. But it's worth trying.

Prevention, of course, is better than treatment. Black flies, unfortunately, seem immune to just about anything. But you might try a salve made from pennyroyal, with the addition of a few drops of citronella oil. That's about the best insect repellent I know of.

[Cliff Timmons]

When we go to bluegrass festivals we have problems with chiggers, fleas and ticks. I rub some horse linimint "Absorbine" on my levis and it helps. After your bitten it also help with the itching and it drys it out if you have poison ivy.

Old timers tell me to dip the cuff of your pants in kerosine, but we hang out at campfires so I opted not to try that one.

It ain't organic, but it works and is cheap.

[bluelacedredhead]

It would bring a whole new meaning to the term Hot Date wouldn't it? '-)

ACtually Cliff, one oldtimer around here used to tell me how kerosene was used to treat headlice. I can't imagine smelling of kerosene for a week. Thank goodness for the Australians and their Tea Tree Oil.

And Brook, blackflies are bad, but I'll take them over Deer Flies anyday. Oh good grief, why did I just remind myself that deerfly season is yet to come..

I think I'll stock up on the pennyroyal starting now! TY

[cReAtIoN gRoAnS]

There are several herbs out there that help as insect repellent. I grew a citranella plant last year and crushed the leaves on that and it smelled....well...just like citranella. I will do some research in my books and see what I can find for you. I do a lot of reading and I know that I have read a lot on insect repellent. Just isnt handy in my brain as of now.

Oh...if you eat a lot of garlic bugs won't bother you....but neither will your husband or friends! :p

Chad

[Brook]

Sweet Annie is another natural bug repellent. During Victorian days ladies would hang sprigs of it about their clothing, and between their breasts, to keep bugs away.

Sweet Annie is so good at this that you don't want it growing in your veggie beds, because it will keep pollinators at bay. Actually, any of the Artemisias work as insect repellents, some better than others. But they should be used with caution because some are incredibly dangerous. Wormwood, for instance, can be extremely toxic.

Oil of juniper is said to repel insects. Some Native American tribes would just crush the berries and rujb themselve with the juice for that purpose.

Feverfew leaves and flowers, placed between linens, is said to repel insects. I've never used it for that purpose, but feverfew does contain pyrethrum which paralyzes chewing insects. Feverfew is the preeminent treatment for migrains and cluster headaches, and I've treated people with it for those ailments quite successfully.

As Chad notes, there are numerous herbs that serve as insect repellents. But the Pennyroyal/Citronella mix is the best I've used, and it's the one I sell for that purpose.

[Cliff Timmons]

Or a big ole stinky cigar

[Brook]

Been my experience that cigar smoke can help with some of the smaller, bothersome critters. Gnats can't stand the stuff. Some, but not all, mosquitoes are repelled. But the dive bombers like black flies, deer flies, etc. don't seem to be very bothered by it very much.
`

[mrtomatoexpres]

hi blue someone told me use meatenderizer with water makes like a paste. blue thats were i thought cliff was from australia. the actor bob hopkins. :) brook i had a uncle gnat he did not spell it with a g rember the honeymooners. :p

[cReAtIoN gRoAnS]

Well looks like Brook beat me to it!!!

Will have to remember those for next time someone asks! Thanks Brook!

[bluelacedredhead]

Chad, thanks to you too for offering to look up solutions. I appreciate the efforts of both you and Brook.

ANd Cliff...Well what can I say..other than the fact that I quit smoking over 3 years ago and well, I wouldn't want to tempt myself with the smell of a good cigar :rolleyes:

[Nemophila]

Tea tree oil works great for insect bites. It helps both with the itching and to dry them up.

[Ohiogal]

Here's a real home-grown organic solution to insect bites that works. I read it in a book somewhere - in my youth. Take a plantain leaf and crush it between your fingers and rub it on the insect bite. The pain will be relieved and the swelling will not erupt. I've done it and it works. Any 'ol plantain works - but the best ones are the fat leafed variety - they are more herbaceous. (the indians used to chew it whole and then spit the whole bunch on a wound and wrap with a leaf).
Another solution is to crush jewelweed stalks (thats that stuff that grows in moist woods and by stream beds) and rub the juice on the bite. This also works for poison ivy. Just be careful because PI grows in the same area as the jewelweed.
I've often observed that the solution to the problem is often in the same environment. The jewelweed/PI relationship is a good example of that. Yin and Yang, I suppose. ;)

[Brook]

Perfect example, Ohiogal, of the synergistic relationship that often exists with wildings. Jewelweed is a perfect treatment for poison ivy.

Another one is oatmeal, btw.

[mrtomatoexpres]

hi ohiogal i watched a show on freespeechtv it was called dancingrabbit. they should you to look for it right next to poisonivy and to cruch the leaves rub it on. :)

[newbiedigger]

A great remedy to insect bites that I have been introduced to is Lavendar oil. The kids have even been asking for it, after seeing for themselves how great it works. Just the other day a nasty mosquito got me right on my wrist. It was very itchy and actually swelled up. I put some Lavendar oil on it and it never itched again and the swelling disappeared very quickly.

The oils I use are from Young Living. Here is a link if anyone is interested:

Rainbow Forever Trust - Young Living Oils (http://www.rainbowforevertrust.com)

newbie

[Nutter]

Liquid Fence makes a good natural repellent..

[TastyofHasty]

It's papaya they make meat tenderizer out of ... don't think they make it of passionflower.

Bluelaced, what did you finally end up using?

[bluelacedredhead]

Passionfruit. Papaya. Well I was close :p Wasn't I? :o
I finally got the swelling down with a product we sell at work called Afterbite. It's an ammonia based stick applicator. The 'scent' of it worked well at keeping me awake on the job that day too. :eek:

http://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=854

I should have know better is all. Next year when the blackflies arrive, I'll remember some sort of repellant that's for certain.