Compressing the Situation

Make sure you remove any stinger from the skin before applying any external applications. You can make a compress out of activated charcoal or black cohosh mixed with some aloe vera and place it on the affected area. For multiple stings, take a bath with activated charcoal in the water to draw out poisons from skin. To prevent being bitten in the first place, I use a mixture of essential oils on my skin that works like a charm. Remember that your skin is an organ, so it also absorbs into the body what you apply to it. I like to use natural products whenever possible. Mix up a batch of equal parts of the following pure essential oils: citronella, lemongrass, lavender, and melaleuca (also known as tea tree oil). You can add these to olive oil, store in a dark glass bottle, and apply as needed. If your oils are pure, they contain enzymes that will eat through plastic containers, so make sure you store any oils you mix in glass. These oils are natural and not harmful to your body, and best of all, bugs hate them!

Black Cohosh: De-Bugging the Simple Cure

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), known to some as snakeroot, can be used internally or externally for bites of all kinds—especially snake bites, which is how this herb got its nickname in the first place. Used also as a female tonic, black cohosh will help relax the nerves and bring on menstruation. However, this is a very strong herb and should be used in moderation; too much can make you nauseous.

Shoo Fly, Why Are You Bothering Me?

Flies are attracted to dark colors, so try wearing nice white slacks next time you go camping. Just kidding, but remember the tip when you are packing your camp gear—bugs truly are less attracted to lighter-colored clothing. Blood-sucking bugs such as mosquitoes seem to be attracted to the sweet smell of your blood, so put away those M&M®’s to fully enjoy the great outdoors. Also make sure you don’t wear any sweet-smelling perfumes or personal care products, which can attract way too much attention. In fact, pumping up your body with herbs that smell offensive to bugs—such as garlic—will offer your best prevention.

Bites and Stings: Those Nasties with Wings

Ah, the great outdoors: fresh air, rustling leaves, sunshine, and—ouch! whack!—bugs! From flies to mosquitoes to stinging bugs, there’s not much we can do about living with these things. Bugs are part of our environment, and I remember my parents telling me that all creatures on earth have a purpose. (I still cannot figure out what purpose biting flies serve, however, except to help humans create new curse words!) Read on for some herbal help on keeping some bugs at bay. And to fight off allergic reactions to bites and stings, a mixture of blessed thistle, pleurisy root, skullcap, and yerba santa will help you through. Another mixture rich in organic minerals includes alfalfa, marshmallow, plantain, horsetail, oatstraw, wheat grass, and hops. For allergic reactions, I also recommend taking pantothenic acid and high doses of vitamin C. Activated charcoal will help internally and externally as well.