Herbal first aid - insect bites & stings

I think one role as a herbalist and naturopath is to educate people on simple things they can do from their kitchens, gardens or out on a bush walk. So many remedies are those 'weeds' I love. I have seen some common herbs work so well to support inflammation after an insect bite or a sting. (And yes, bee stings are a moot point with me as I have anaphylaxis to them and need medical intervention in the event I do get stung.)

Plantain aka ribwort (Pantago laneolata) or broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is something I have growing in my garden, dried and made into an oil (I intend to make it into a salve). I see it everywhere - down by the riverbed, on the edge of paddocks, in lawns, because it self sows and grows prolifically. I have told my daughter to use it on a insect bite by picking a leaf and chewing on it then putting it on her skin (spit poultice). She said the irritation went quickly and I saw the inflammation reduce before my eyes.

Self heal (Prunella vulgaris) is growing in my garden and I see it everywhere in lawns from late spring and into summer. It's that pretty purple flower that so many people try and zap from their otherwise pristine lawns. I also have it dried and made into an infused oil. Also we have found it effective on many bites and stings.

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) has an amazing inner leaf gel that many of you may know about. In my Canterbury home, it sits on a sunny windowsill in my kitchen. This gel is so soothing for the itch from insect bites and stings.

Echinacea (E. purpurea) is a star when it comes to first aid for insect bites and stings. The tincture is your friend or again a spit poultice.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a soft and soothing herb for many ailments in the body. Bites and stings are no exception - a spit poultice from the fresh leaves is the way to go here.

Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a tree that I lost when we moved here and I have just bought another. Not exactly a weed but a small tree that I love. Such pretty delicately scented flowers in winter that I love. I have this as a steam distillation (not my own preparation) and you can make a compress with a cloth to soothe an insect bite or sting.

Marshmallow in flower. This is a simple home remedy for soothing the irritation from insect bites and stings