12 Natural Remedies To Heal Bee Stings

Honeybee stings release approximately 0.1 milligrams of poison per sting. The average person can tolerate up to ten stings, unless they are severely allergic to bee stings.

Bee venom also called Apitoxin lacks color and is made up mainly of proteins which are ultimately responsible for the discomfort from the sting. The proteins which bee venom is comprised of can be blamed for the swelling that results when stung.

The home remedies in this article are meant for people who are not deathly allergic to bee stings. If you are deathly allergic to bee stings, do not try these remedies. Instead, seek professional medical attention as soon as you can. For all others, these home remedies can help to reduce the swelling and pain that are usually associated with bee stings.

# Remove the Stinger

After being stung, the bee’s stinger should be removed from your body as soon as possible. It takes a few seconds to remove the stinger but by spending time removing it, the poison is stopped from further causing harm to the body. Taking out the stinger is a simple way to stop swelling.

The stinger can be removed by using tweezers or a fingernail to scratch the area where the stinger lays. The skin should be scrapped and not pinched to avoid further spreading the poison. After the sting is removed, cleaning the affected area with antiseptic soap and fresh water is important. Once the area is washed it has to be dried prior to applying antiseptic creams or calamine lotion.

# Epsom Salt

Epsom salt certainly does the trick of minimizing inflammation and numbing pain. To use this home remedy, fill a bathtub with warm water. Add between one and two cups of Epsom salt in the water. Soak the affected area in this bathwater for at least fifteen minutes.

# Epsom Paste

Epsom salt can also be used to make an anti-itch paste. To make this paste, add the Epsom salts to water to make a cream which can be placed on the bee sting area. Equal parts water and Epsom salt should be mixed to make this paste. After the paste dries (on the skin), rinse it off with cool water. Use this paste as often as needed.

# Ice Pack

After the stinger is removed, an ice pack or any frozen pack can be applied to the area. Often used for other cases of swelling and sores, the ice pack works numb pain whilst taking away the itch. It also helps in reducing the spread of bee poison to the rest of the body.

Never apply the pack directly on the skin. Use a cloth to cover the pack prior to applying. Keep the pack on the area for approximately 10 minutes. The pack can be reused and ice block replaced. The process should be an ongoing one at every few hours to promote healing.

# Water

A natural detox occurs by drinking plenty of water to rid the body of venom. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day while you are recovering from the bee sting.

# Painkillers

Painkillers work to ease the pain of a sting. You can either use painkillers as directed on the bottle, or you can make a paste out of them. To make a paste, crush two painkillers and mix it with a tablespoon of water. Mix these two ingredients together until they form a smooth paste. Rub this paste on the bee sting area. This should help to relieve the pain and swelling of the bee sting.

# Parsley

Parsley is a herb which has anti-inflammatory properties due to its eugenol content. This home remedy works best when either eaten or applied in ointment form. The best way to use parsley to cure a bee sting is to put chopped pieces of parsley on the bee sting infected area. Wrap cloth or a bandage around the parsley to keep it in place. Keep this on the stung area for three hours. Once the time is up, remove the parsley and rinse the area with cool water.

# Beeswax Blend

Easily blend beeswax as well as essential oil or add drops of honey using a tub to minimize the effects of painful stings. It is best to make the balm prior to getting stung and having the small tub ready for usage as need be.

The main ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil should be mixed on the stove and once boiled, should be taken off the heat. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil can be added in as well. Honey if preferable, can also be added, to provide additional soothing health benefits.

# Basil

Basil lives must be smashed and made into a paste to be applied on the sting. Turmeric can be added to the leaves to aid in the healing process. Eugenol found in basil promotes healing.

# Garlic

Another food item that has anti-inflammatory effects is garlic, which reduces the effects of infections and prevents swelling. You can either make a garlic paste (by crushing garlic) to put on the bee sting, or you can simply add garlic to your meals to gain health benefits from this home remedy.

# Baking Soda Paste

Another easily made paste is baking soda paste.To make this paste, simply mix equal parts water and baking soda. The paste can be used again but the area should be rinsed thoroughly prior to reapplication.

# Marigolds

Calendula flowers, more commonly called marigolds, contain a natural constringent. The healing properties offered by the marigold heal not only wounds but other infections as well. Marigold oil can be bought or made.