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Symphytum uplandica12/28/2023 Finely ground grains such as rice or oatmeal, or bland starchy substances like mallow root, grated potato, or arrowroot powder, are also used as soothing poultices to ease itching and pain from insect bites.įresh-herb poultices are a little more complicated, but not by much. Just find a healing leaf, pluck it, chew it, and apply it directly to the sting/bite. If you wish, use a large leaf or an adhesive bandage to hold the poultice in place. Plantain, comfrey (Symphytum uplandica x), yellow dock (Rumex species), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), wild mallow (Malva neglecta), chickweed (Stellaria media), and yarrow are only a few of the possibilities. In the woods, you can take a leaf from a tree, chew it, and apply that to the bite. Any tree will do in an emergency, but if you have a choice, the best leaves are those from witch hazel, willow, oak, or maple. Play it safe: Learn to recognize witch hazel (Hamamelis virginia) and willow (Salix species) leaves before you chew on them. Maple (Acer) or oak (Quercus) leaves are easier to recognize and safer to chew-unless you live where poison oak grows. If uncertain, avoid all shrubs and any trees with slick or shiny leaves. If the leaf you are chewing tastes extremely bitter or burns your mouth, spit it out at once. To repel ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies, try a diluted tincture of yarrow (Alchellia millefolium) flowers directly on all exposed skin. A recent US Army study showed yarrow tincture to be more effective than DEET as an insect repellent. If you’ve spent the day in an area where Lyme disease is common, take a shower right away and scrub yourself with a body brush. Also, it takes the tick some time to make up its mind where to bite, so most are unattached and will wash off. “If the worst happens and I do get a bite, I help my immune system by taking a daily dose of 2-6 dropperfuls of Echinacea tincture. I avoid Goldenseal as I believe it could have adverse effects. John’s Wort (Hypericum) tincture three times a day to help inactivate the Lyme’s organism.” If I have symptoms, I use a dropperful of St. This article was reprinted with permission from Susun Weed. Please visit her site at: Become informed about identifying plants for herbal usage. The World Wide Web offers numerous resources. This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #06.Due to the expected negligible skin exposure from such products the risk of induction of dermal sensitization through the normal formulation and use of such products is considered to be negligible.
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