It's that time of year when we're all outside having fun - but occasionally
with that great time we're having also come bug bites, sunburns & the
minor injuries of our outdoor enthusiasms. Here are some helpful, natural
remedies for the summertime blues:
For POISON OAK blend one ounce each of dried witchhazel leaves, white oak
bark, mugwort, burdock root, yellowdock and dandelion leaves together. Simmer
on very low for ten minutes in two quarts of water. Turn your mixture off
and let it sit overnight. Strain & bottle. Wash affected area several
times a day to relieve itch and heal infection.
For POISON IVY you can use equal parts buttermilk and apple cider vinegar as
a thin poultice on the skin or place the inside of a banana skin on affected
area. Fresh orange impatiens works well to dry up poison ivy blisters. Break
the stems then squeeze the juice onto the area and let dry.
INSECT BITES can certainly be irritating as well. For BEE STINGS, pluck the
stinger out, being careful not to squeeze the stinger as it will release more
poison into your skin. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply
to the sting site and let it dry on the skin. If you have fresh
chrysanthemum flowers, pluck the petals and apply them to the area. For WASP
STINGS, wash the site then apply cajeput oil. For SPIDER BITES, steep ½
ounce each wormwood, clary sage and rue in ½ cup of olive oil in a wide mouth
jar. Let mixture sit ten days in the sun, shaking daily. Strain and store
for application to bite area. For MOSQUITO BITES, make a paste of ¼ cup
cornstarch, juice of one lemon and one teaspoon witchhazel astringent. Apply
to the bite to relieve itching and swelling.
To repel FLIES, use straight onion juice or make a mixture of one dram
sassafras oil and one dram eucalyptus oil added to four ounces of rubbing
alcohol and five ounces of water. Mix and apply to the skin of both humans
and animals. To repel MOSQUITOS you can apply citronella oil directly to the
skin. Pennyroyal oil works very well, too, but should never be used by
pregnant women (and you should know it can also bring on your menses - even
midcycle). If you have an infestation of ANTS in your kitchen, sprinkle
cinnamon chips under the floor cabinets and by doors. It confuses their
sense of smell and direction so they can't go back out & tell all their
ant friends where your goodies are!
All herbs, oils, incense, etc. can be found at the best Wiccan online store.
Top-quality products, great prices. Herbal and essential oil reference guides
available online.
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