Bee Stings

[Pat Robinson]

If there is difficulty in breathing or dizziness and nausea, seek medical advice. If you don’t know if your child is allergic to honeybee venom, watch for swelling in the throat that might affect breathing.

Mud. (for immediate relief in the yard or away from home) Baking soda: mix the baking soda with vinegar and apply the thick paste to the wound.

Apple Cider Vinegar: The raw kind. Spectrum or Braggs are good brands, available at all health food stores. If bitten or stung, dab apple cider vinegar as soon as possible on the bite to draw out any poison and to
prevent swelling. Thyme and rosemary infused in the vinegar are especially effective.

Apply an ice pack or cold compress to sting for at least 15 minutes.

1. Garlic cloves: This one is quite popular and is touted as one of the best for the pain of a sting. Crush a garlic clove to release the garlic juices and press it against the sting.

2. Lavender essential oils: Just a drop on the sting site is all you need. The essential oils in the lavender are supposed to neutralize the venom immediately.

3. Baking soda and water: This one seems to have been around forever, but it’s a favorite. Mix the baking soda and water to form a thick paste then slather it onto the skin. Don’t wash it off.

4. Peanut butter: This was a new one for me. Again, people everywhere seem to find it effective. I’m anxious to try it, I mean, I am; but I’m not, you know?

5. Plantain (Plantago spp.): Plantain is a common weed that apparently had medicinal properties when it comes to bee stings. It makes itself at home almost everywhere, but whether you can find it around your home or
not will depend on how obsessed you are with your yard or garden.

6. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flowers: Prepare flowers by crushing enough of them to get a good juice content and apply to sting.

7. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) leaves: Prepare the leaves the same way as plantain.

8. Basil: Using crushed basil leaves is said to be extremely effective for pain caused by stings.

9. Onion: Cut an onion in half and press the inside of it (the juicy part) on the sting.

10. Honey: So, how ironic is this? I mean, it seems only fitting that if the bees have the sting; they also have the cure. Pour some honey on the affected site.

11. Parsley: I would crush quite a bit of parsley so you could really get some juice to try this one.

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/5452/12-natural-bee-sting-rem...

Salt paste on the sting will help to draw out the venom.
A paste of baking soda and water will help with the pain and swelling. (apply for 30-60 minutes)
Apply vinegar to the site.
Make a paste of meat tenderizer and apply.


Natural Bee Repellants- Taking daily supplements of vitamin B1, Brewer’s Yeast, Zinc or Garlic (odorless garlic) will reduce your chances of being bitten.


Pat

[Janine]

For anaphylaxis of any kind - place your left finger pads on the person's T1 area (back of the neck) and right finger pads where the clavical bones come together at the center of the chest (where rib cage begins) and LIGHTLY hold - no rubbing, pushing, pressing...until the issue is cleared.

[Pat Robinson]

Fascinating, does this alter something in the neurological pathway? I've never heard of this, is it an acupuncture point?

Pat

[Jade]

I clicked on this wondering if you might have found a nutritional link with anaphylaxis to bee stings. I had a very scary reaction many years ago and the next time I got stung (about six years later) it only hurt (a lot!). I've always wondered if there might some kind of dietary etc explanation.

[Pat Robinson]

There are different reactions to differing species of 'bees'. Hornet venom is different than wasp venom. The proteins are different, so the reaction could be different. Generally, each subsequent reaction to the same protein/allergen exposure is MORE severe.


Pat

[Jade]

Hmmm, I'm not sure we even have hornets in Australia. By Bees we mean Apis mellifera the honey bee (introduced species here). Anything else usually has a qualifier - "native bee" (over 1400 species) which often don't sting at all or "bumble bee" (also introduced and only in Tasmania). Since honey bees are introduced here I didn't realise you have other kinds. Wasps here (including the introduced pest European wasp) look nothing like bees.
All OT I guess, I still wonder since it seems to be possible to influence immune responses to food allergens why not bee stings?