This summer my family has been hanging out in the pool almost every day. It’s a small pool, but big enough to float around and cool off. I love it. Everyone loves it. It’s a big draw for the neighborhood kids. There is only 1 problem. The bees.
In the last few weeks the bees have gotten more and more aggressive. Especially around the pool and in the garden. Almost everyone has been stung at least once. Children and adults alike, both in and out of the pool.
I don’t know where you live, but when I was in South Dakota mosquitoes and chiggers where the bigger problems. The bees were there too, and wasps. But they seem to get worse in the last part of summer and early fall. The way to work with all of these pest bites are the same. So what are we to do?
Over the years I’ve developed 3 main go too solutions.
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My Favorite Antidotes For Bee Stings and Bug Bites
Listed below are my favorite go too’s for bee stings, bug bites, spider bites and the like.
Helichrysum Essential Oil to Relieve Bee Stings
At the first OUCHIE, even before the swelling starts or the tears I run for the Helichrysum essential oil. Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum essential oil works fast. Easing the sting, itch or bite within minutes. Even a 3 year old doesn’t remember being stung or bitten. Pretty incredible right? And yet it’s true.
As a side caveat, I also use Helichysum EO for things like slamming your hand in the door and the like. With great success I might add. For example, the other day my daughter pinched her thumb in the camper door. By the time she got home it was swelling and hurt pretty bad. A few Drops on Helichysum on the thumb a few times that day. I also applied some Dharma Oil from the elbow down. Things healed up fast. She did not loose the nail and the normal color returned before bedtime.
Helichysum italicum, also called Pearly Everlasting and Immortal, is native to the Mediterranean. This herb has many uses. In commerce today, it is marketed as a skin rejuvenator. Which is also one of the traditional applications. The EO and the plant in varies applications does help to keep the skin young and vibrant. Thus the name “immoral”.
Please know that any substance that rejuvinates skin cells, and epidermal tissue has a great many uses. The same is true of Helichysum. I use it in formula to help heal scar tissue inside and out, to ease age lines and as an anti-inflammatory. In my experience immortal is a very effective anti-inflammatory agent, and is how I most often use this essential oil.
For a bee stings, bug bites, bumps, bruises and banged up parts, I like a pre-diluted formula, mixed with Jojoba oil. Aura Cacia has a perfect product for this use. I get mine from eViamins. A drop or two is really all you need. Especially if you catch it soon enough. We keep ours out by the pool. But gotta tell you, I don’t go camping without it.
CTR - Complete Tissue Repair to Relieve Bug Bites and Bee Stings
CTR is an old family favorite and one of the first I started making. The active ingredients that help sooth bug bites and stings are Plantain Plantago major, Rose leaves and petals Rosa spp, Echinacea E angustifolia or purpurea. This formula not only helps relieve itches and swelling from bites and stings but was specifically formulated to speed recovery of the body’s connective tissues including bones, tendons, ligaments, muscle and skin. In Just apply the ointment directly to the itchy spot of bite. Sometimes I’ll put a dab or CTR with a drop of helichrysum if I’m really worried. My first choice for treating spider bites.
Smite the Bite - Bug Bite and Bee Sting Relief
Made by Wonderment Gardens, Smite the Bite is a liquid product that comes in a 1 or 2 ounce spray bottle. That way you can spray it on an area. Or if the spot is small, dab in on the bit. Either way the results are wonderful.
I once had a woman tell me this was the ONLY thing that worked on her chigger bites. Glad it helped. Smite the Bite has been around a long time. The formula was developed because of a girl scout troupe camping near me. those poor girls were covered in super itchy bites. Proof again that God always puts you where you’re supposed to be.
Smite the bite contains individually formulated plant extracts of Yarrow Achillea millefolium, Plantain Plantago major, Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia or purpurea, and Spilanthes Acmella oleracea. With essential oils of German Chamomile and Lavender.
I'd Love To Hear Your Ideas
I hope you find my ideas useful. I don’t know about you, but when I find something that works, I usually stay with it. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other things that work just as well. Herbs, and life, works that way. It would be lovely if you could share your ideas and experiences. What do you use? What hasn’t worked?
Hope to hear from you soon
Many Blessings
Annie
Disclaimer
The statements and ideas presented here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. They have not been evaluated by the FDA. All ideas presented are for the sole purpose of education. To help you take control of your own health. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician. We suggest that you always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing any new exercises.
These statements and products have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing any new exercises.
Herbs taken for health purposes should be treated with the same care as medicine. Herbal remedies are no substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you are serious about good health, you’ll want to combine diet, exercise, herbals, a good relationship with your doctor and a generally healthy lifestyle. No one of these will do it alone.
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Greetings
I am wondering if this Helichrysum italicum is like the common tansy?
I have a ton of it growing and what to know what the best way to work with it~
Thanks
Hi Nieema, Helichrysum and Tansy are not related. Although they look somewhat the same. The botanical name for common Tansy is Tanacetum vulgare. Interestingly tanactum means immortality. Although I’m not sure why.
Tansy is mostly used as a parasitic or to remove parasites from the body and skin. Tansy also has some anti-inflammatory benefits and can be used to reduce swellings when applied externally. The Essential oil should be extremely diluted and only used with caution. Other uses for common tansy are as an emmenagogue (to get the menstrual juices flowing) and to control seizures in cases of epilepsy. Here is a good link you might find interesting on how to uses Common Tansy. https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/tansy-05.html and http://cms.herbalgram.org/commissione/Monographs/Monograph0356.html
Hope this helps
Annie
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further post thanks once again.