As we near the end of summer I find myself welcoming the cooler mornings and evenings. Here in North Carolina the days are still pretty warm and buggy. I have always been a magnate for bugs to my dismay. I have also always generated pretty big reactions to bug bites also to my dismay. I love being outside and hiking. It’s only when I get home and discover I sat with chiggers or got a big spider bite that I get sad.
I have learned that Thyme essential oil on the feet can help keep chiggers away but you’ll need to reapply depending on how long you are out. Thyme can burn the skin so be careful! You can often find it in natural bug sprays.
The good thing about my experience with bug bites is it has helped me explore and learn different topical applications to help with the discomfort. In the past I have taught Topical Herbal Application classes which is a fun topic and a nice way to connect with plants and experience and SEE the healing happen.
Here are a few of my go to bug bite remedies:
One of my favorite remedies for bites that need drawing of poisons like spider bites is actually not an herb. Activated charcoal has proven amazing for this type of need. I learned about this from herbalist 7Song many years ago. If you are not familiar check out his work. He is a long standing clinical herbalist with a wealth of knowledge. https://7song.com/about-7song
You make a paste of the charcoal and apply to a gauze pad and cover the bite. Tape all around the gauze pad to secure. Allow it to sit for a few hours. Reapply until redness and healing is well in progress. This is quite messy because once the charcoal dries it becomes powder again. I have seen this method work so well on myself and others. Some people swear by a baking soda poultice but I have not yet tried this remedy. I am sure is it much less messy and doesn’t discolor the skin!
Self heal is a gentle and often abundant plant. This plant can be made into an infusion to wash wounds and bites.
Lavender essential oil is helpful for mosquito bites. It is calming and helps with the itchy inflammation.
Calendula oil is one of my favorites for unexplained itchy rashes. Herbalist and Alchemist makes a nice calendula oil roll on. https://www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Poison ivy is another uncomfortable spring, summer and sometimes fall condition for some. Jewel weed soap is often helpful after you know you have been exposed. A nice cold shower with Jewel weed can sometimes be enough to stop the process if your lucky! The salve can work on the rash itself. The soap and salve can be found at the French Broad Food Coop if you are local to Asheville. I have used an infusion of White Willow Bark successfully with some cases. Honestly, the best remedy I have seen for a poison ivy rash is frequent acupuncture. It helps clear the rash quickly. There are also a few Chinese herbal formulas that I have used based on peoples patterns that have helped.
I hope that the end of summer is peaceful and rejuvenating and does not involve any thing that would require this advice! But if your like me it is always helpful to have a few herbal tricks in the pack!
**Remember this is NOT medical advice. Please consult with your doctor if you have an infection or are concerned about a bite or infection and are not familiar with herbal medicine.