So, you've planted all those herbs designed to attract butterflies and provide you with spicy food and wonderful fragrances all summer. Suddenly, you discover a small problem. The plants you're worrying over and nurturing - literally on bended knee, are also attracting bees and all manner of stinging pests.
If you rile up a bee, wasp, or yellow jacket . . . sometimes they can be pretty unreasonable, there are some herbal remedies that can help.
If you aren't sure whether or not you're allergic to bee stings, watch for these symptoms and get emergency help right away if you start experiencing them.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- An itchy, red rash that's larger in area than the sting itself
- Swelling. This can be in the area of the face, throat or mouth.
- Problems swallowing
- A drop in blood pressure
- Faintness or dizziness
- Rapid pulse
- Apply a slice of fresh garlic to the sting and rub it back and forth slowly.
- Crush basil and apply a thin layer on the sting. You can do this with parsley too.
- Make a paste of honey and granulated sugar and apply it to the sting. Repeat as needed.
- Place a thin slice of onion on the sting.
- At bedtime, try placing a dollop of toothpaste on the sting. It will help get you through the night.
- If you have a papaya lying around, a nice slice will help to neutralize bee toxin.
If you are stung and it's not a life threatening situation, consider it a gardener's rite of passage.
1 comments:
Great post! Hope I don't sting by the bee; if I do, I definitely will try your herbal cures. Thanks!
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Share some ideas.