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As a Holistic Horticulturist who grows organic plant medicine, one of my aims is to create environments that attract insects. I'm doing my job properly if I've created an ecosystem that is filled with a variety of insects. The irony of this is that I'm quite susceptible to insect bites (my mother tells me I have 'rich blood') and I have quite severe reactions to cleg (horsefly) bites, with huge ball shaped blisters that I could almost gaze into to foretell the future...
During Summer, insect numbers should be plentiful and with the often wet conditions in Scotland, this provides a breeding ground for many. Midges are the national 'pest' here - they are small but mighty. If you've ever walked into a swarm of midges, you know these tiny insects can cause a lot of discomfort. So how can we enjoy being in Nature and minimise harm to ourselves and the insects?
Repelling
There are thousands upon thousands of insects and this is one of the reasons that it can be difficult to discourage insects from biting or stinging us. What works to repel one, may not work for another. For example, some insects are olfactory predators - using smell - but the horsefly is a visual predator. It is the female who bites us humans - the males collect nectar - and she is drawn towards fast moving dark colours. She likes to go for the jugular, biting vulnerable areas where skin is a little thinner such as ankles, behind the knees, neck and wrists, those parts of our bodies that show the artery and vein highways. She's a smart cookie, is the female horsefly, as not only does she bite, she lacerates - it's not only a little bite, it's a munch to lacerate the skin in order to access blood as this what she uses to feed her hundreds of eggs. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi horror movie but you have to reluctantly admire this clever mammy.
Many essential oils help to repel a wide range of insects, including Mint, Eucalyptus and Citronella. Essential oils are concentrated plant essences and should only ever be used in dilution - no more than 4 drops per 10ml carrier oil like grapeseed for adults, and 1 drop in 10ml for children - and it is important to ensure you are only vapourising or spraying these close to you and not applying them to plants - we want to encourage insects towards plants but discourage them from us. Another important consideration is sensitivity to essential oils - always patch test in a dilution before applying fully.
Neem is another oil that is often used to repel insects but often the smell is offputting to us too. My Reality Bites Herbal Insect Repellent is specifically formulated, including Neem, at a dilution that is not overpowering for us, with essential oils and other active ingredients intended to discourage even the most tenacious of insects. So what if we've done everything we can to repel insects but we still get bitten or stung?
Natural Approaches
Firstly, it's useful to know what kind of bite or sting you have, whether it's a midge, horsefly or ant, or if you've been stung by a wasp or bee. Often the most effective treatments are those that are specific to the kind of bite or sting. If you don't know, not to worry. The first step is to gently cleanse the area. My Witch Hazel is incredibly useful to have on hand as it's anti-inflammatory, contains no alcohol and is gentle on skin. This amazing natural water is a must have for any home, not just in a first aid kit. Witch Hazel contains Vitamin P, a bioflavonoid that protects capillaries and small blood vessels, kills itching, soothes tired eyes and can help stop nosebleeds, It is incredibly important to use 100% natural Witch Hazel, especially for nosebleeds and soothing tired eyes as these areas are sensitive and any witch hazel product with alcohol is not suitable.
Secondly, the inflamed results of a bite or sting come from the venom or an allergic reaction so it's important to treat ourselves holistically, supporting our entire system and not just our skin. Yarrow, Lemon Balm and Plantain are useful herbs in this case. Made as infusions they can be applied directly or sipped as teas. Yarrow can help in reducing the onset of a fever as a result of an allergic reaction and is useful to stem bleeding. Lemon Balm helps to calm the nerves, reduce dizziness and is often used when there is an adverse reaction to vaccination or inoculation so this is a good herb to apply as an infusion and sip as tea after a sting. Lemon Balm will bring a groundedness and reduce anxiety. Plantain has an anti-histamine action and is a good blood tonic. In my own experience, applying fresh Plantain leaf to a bite is only useful as an immediate action, not necessarily beneficial once the bite has blistered. This was one of the reasons for my developing Reality Bites Aftercare as there are other approaches for helping to heal bites and stings that are a little more effective at the itching, blistering and skin healing stages.
What Not To Do
There are certain natural approaches that can actually worsen bites and stings. If there is any concern that there is a sting still in the skin or that the venom has not been addressed, then do not apply Comfrey in any form, whether in a cream, balm, salve, tea or leaf. Comfrey is a wonderful herb for the skin but it is not suitable for occasions where there are stings or bites where there is venom within the skin or a risk of infection.
This also goes for any balm or salve that contains beeswax. Beeswax makes a wonderful addition to any balm but as a wax it will seal any venom or infection within the skin. For bites and stings we need things that will soothe the skin but also help withdraw or neutralise any venom, allergic reaction or infection. Applying beeswax will create a barrier on the skin, effectively sealing in anything that is venom or infection.
Finally, if you have a severe reaction to a bite or sting, seek medical attention. The information here is not medical advice and not intended to cure or diagnose any condition.
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