I read your tip about using hand sanitizer to relieve bug bites. Unfortunately hand sanitizers and other products like them have unnatural (often synthetic) aromas from perfumes. I have found one natural remedy that works not only for bites but also for poison ivy.
Jewelweed grows in moist, partially shaded areas, with a tendency toward moisture. It ALWAYS grows in concert with poison ivy (so be careful when you are picking it). In fact, it’s a cure against urisol, which is the active agent in poison ivy, oak, and sumac. It is fabulous for mosquito and other bites. It takes the itching away almost like magic. Insect stings are relieved on contact, and poison ivy in a few seconds. As an added bonus, it doesn’t spook deer or other animals like perfumes would.
Fill a pint-sized mason jar 3/4 full with unflavored vodka (the cheap kind). Add stems, leaves, and flowers of the jewelweed plant. Let it set for as long as you can. I make mine now for next year. You can put the strained steeped alcohol into smaller dropper or roller bottles for convenience. If you don’t have jewelweed in your area, there are several online retailers who sell it.
As a hunter and a beekeeper, jewel weed is a very important plant for late season foraging for the bees. Thanks for sharing this tip regarding a natural use for relieving itch!
Glad to help!
Hello Rich,
which balsam is this (Latin name)? The Sprinkraut that grows here in Germany looks very different. Many Thanks.
Joachim
Hi. The Latin name is Impatiens capensis.
Can rubbing alcohol be used to soak the jewelweed?
Hi Austin. It looks like Richard isn’t getting the notifications of comments here. I suppose you could try it. When I look online some places suggest grain alcohol. You would not want to use rubbing alcohol for anything that is ingested. I hope that helps.
Excellent.
Another option I learned from Top Brown Jr. (original from the Pine Barons NJ.) you can make a birch tea; when the birch trees are in in season the leaves contain most of the medicinal properties, when it’s off season the medicinal properties are in the small branches the leave grew of of. you harvest a small of leaves & very small branch ends the leaves grow from making a small heaping palm size in your hand, brake them up into small pieces, boil in about 2 cups of water for about 15 – 20 min. Let cool & apply 3 time letting it dry between applications, repeating 3 times daily. It doesn’t stain nor smell unpleasant, nor will effect your hunt. It stop the itch immediately & the poison is gone in a very short time. You can learn a vast amount of information including tracking from Tom Brown Jr. & his book. Hope this helps.