Treating summer ills

Try these alternatives for quick relief 

By Jonathan Evans

Herbal Information Specialist for The Herbarium

     Happy summer, such as it is. People are out traveling despite food and gas prices being high. It seems a reflex action from the coronavirus pandemic restrictions we have all borne over the past two years.

     Yet despite all the trials we have been through, some things never change. Summer brings with it bug bites, rashes and other ills.

     In an effort to help folks who are  traveling, having picnics and other gatherings I humbly offer a few suggestions for family care.

If the leaves be three...

     Poison ivy or poison oak knows no COVID-19 restrictions. Whether you are out traipsing through the woods or clearing brush from the backyard, poison ivy is everywhere.     

     Most people don’t even know they have been exposed until the blisters appear.

     If you are unlucky enough to encounter poison ivy and bloom with the rash, there are a few simple things that can be found in your house to help with the itching and  spread of poison ivy until you can get other remedies.

• Wash the area with slightly warm or cool water.
• Baking soda; Make a three-to-one paste of baking soda and water and apply to the affected areas.
• Rubbing alcohol applied topically can cool things down and reduce the itch. It may also help dry up the blisters.
• Oatmeal bath or wash, depending on how widespread the area is. Old fashioned rolled oats in a muslin bag or cloth does a great job applied locally . For a bath, use a good handful of the oatmeal into warm water in a pot and cook long enough for it to get icky. Pour liquid into the bath and use the oatmeal bag as a washcloth.
• Witch Hazel. Works like rubbing alcohol to help dry the rash.
• Cucumber slices applied to the affected area. Use it for relief instead of putting it in the salad

     Other items you may want to have on hand would include French green clay which I have found to be more soothing than calamine lotion. Make a thin paste and apply.

Sure, you have a slightly greenish tinge but you will feel a lot better.                     One of our nephews was clearing brush and had gloves and a long sleeve shirt for protection. Unfortunately , he kept wiping his face and neck with  his gloved hand. The poor kid was covered with poison ivy. My wife soaked a gauze roll in the green clay mixture and wrapped him up like a mummy. He looked funny but felt better.

• Grampa’s pine tar soap helps break up the urushiol oil from the plant, which is spreading the infection. Use it to give the affected area a gentle wash down.

     There are homeopathic remedies that can help dry up the blisters and topical sprays to relieve the itch from poison ivy.  Interestingly enough, one of the ingredients used to stop poison ivy is poison ivy. The homeopathic remedy Rhus tox is an extremely dilute form of poison ivy and is very effective.

Overdone by the sun

     If you get a sunburn,  there are home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms.

• Black tea as a wash can bring the burn down. Obviously don’t have it hot. You can simply wet the bag and use it as a washer until you can brew up more and let it cool to use as a wash.
• Aloe vera gel or juice used topically. Aloe is known as the burn plant. If you have a plant, break off one of the stems and rub away.
• Apple cider vinegar. Though there is little “official” science behind using apple cider vinegar, it has been a remedy used for many years. Dilute the vinegar 50/50 with water as the acid may be too strong on the burn.

When the bugs bite

     Nothing can ruin a great summer day faster than a bug bite or bee sting.

• Green clay applied can help draw out the histamine and formic acid that is in the venom.
• Black salve is a drawing salve and will help draw out the irritants.
• Plantain. This greenish purple broad leaf plant grows everywhere. Take one of the spoon-shaped leaves, crush it up or chew it up and apply to the bite or sting.

Tummy troubles

     With all the salads and foods out on the picnic table, the chances of getting a touch of food poisoning is ever present.

• Charcoal caps will help to bind with the toxins and reduce diarrhea and nausea.
• Blackberry or red raspberry tea is helpful for diarrhea and nausea.
• Ginger tea ,candies or real ginger soda helps with nausea.

     These are just a few suggestions to help with making your summer a bit more enjoyable.

                Send questions on botanical remedies to: Nature’s RX: Jonathan Evans At Herbarium258@gmail.com. or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 254 Exchange St., Chicopee MA 01013. If requesting information, please include a stamped, self-address envelope.