| Copyright (c) 2008 Mary Ann Copson | | | | you go inside and get the rest of the remedy. |
| In the spring and summer your kids ? and you too- | | | | Find your comfrey tincture (you do have a good |
| are more likely to be outside barefoot or rolling and | | | | herbal first aid kit, right?), a big Band-Aid (my kids |
| playing in the grass. Getting an insect bite or sting can | | | | always went for a gauze pad and first aid tape - so |
| put an end to these happy go lucky times. This quick | | | | much more dramatic). |
| and easy bug bite and sting natural remedy never | | | | Leaving the plantain mass in place, secure it with the |
| fails to work and to get the kids back on track for | | | | Band-Aid or gauze and first aid tape. Secured the |
| more outdoor adventures. | | | | bandage then dribble some comfrey tincture under |
| To squelch a bug bite or sting: | | | | the dressing and on the sting. The comfrey is |
| Quickly find a broad leaf plantain leaf - these are | | | | soothing and cool and takes away any lingering pain, |
| easily found as they are common weeds in almost all | | | | stinging or discomfort. |
| grassy areas. (This is one plant I would choose not | | | | Leave on until it falls off later that day or the next |
| to eradicate from my lawn because of these | | | | morning. If it is a bad bite or sting, you may need to |
| medicinal benefits.) It is low growing, dark green and | | | | put a fresh plantain/comfrey dressing on the next |
| broad, with ?ribs? on the leaf ? please look it up in a | | | | day. |
| plant identification book if you are not sure. | | | | This remedy has never failed and prevents infections |
| Chew up the leaf ? the action of salvia activates its | | | | from the bite or sting. The best thing is how much it |
| sting stopping powers. (If you are afraid to chew it | | | | seems to empower the children (and adults too!). If |
| up then bite on it to break the skin and mix it with | | | | someone around them gets a bug bite or sting the |
| some of your salvia.) | | | | kids are the first ones to find the plantain (so be sure |
| Place the chewed up plantain leaf on the bug bite or | | | | you teach them to be able to accurately identify it) |
| sting. Almost immediately the pain will stop. You or | | | | and they show up beaming and full of compassion ? |
| your child can hold the plantain mass in place while | | | | ?Don?t worry. It?s OK --we have the plantain!? |