How To Treat A Bee Sting Naturally

When a bumblebee or a honeybee stings you, it leaves its stinger and sac of venom in your skin.

In most cases, the sting creates slight pain, swelling and irritation.

For most people it will be more of a nuisance than cause for concern.

However, if you have not been stung before look for signs of an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction are:

• swollen eye lids
• swollen hands
• difficulty breathing
• wheezing
• dizziness
• fainting
• nausea
• vomiting
• hive-like rash

If you have any of these symptoms proceed to the emergency room or your doctor's office immediately. Bee stings can be fatal in people who are allergic to the bee's venom.

What to do if someone is stung:

1. Have someone stay with the person who was stung to make sure they don't have an allergic reaction.
2. Wash the area with soap and water.
3. Remove the stinger by scraping it with a credit card or other similar object. It is important to NEVER use tweezers or squeeze the stinger, as more venom will be released and can injury the muscle.
4. Apply ice to reduce the swelling.
5. If the person has an allergic reaction take them to the hospital to get an epinephrine injection.

Any of the following natural remedies can be used to reduce the swelling and pain from the bee sting.

• Apple Cider Vinegar ~ Rub apple cider vinegar on the bee sting to stop the pain.
• Aspirin ~ Crush up an aspirin and mix with water to form a paste. Apply to the bee sting to reduce the swelling.
• Baking Soda ~ Mix with water, and generously apply the paste to the sting to draw out the venom.
• Baking Soda & Vinegar ~ Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the bee sting, then pour vinegar over the baking soda until it has bubbled and gone to remove the venom and the stinger.
• Basil ~ Crush fresh basil leaves and rub into the bee sting to relieve pain.
• Honey ~ Using pure raw honey, dab a bit on the sting and cover with a band-aid. The honey's enzymes will neutralize the venom and will relieve the pain in 5 minutes.

• Ice Pack ~ The cold ice will minimize swelling and prevents the venom from spreading to other areas of the body.
• Lavender Oil ~ Apply 1 drop of lavender essential oil to the bee sting to relieve swelling and pain.
  
• Meat Tenderizer ~ Make a paste with meat tenderizer and water. Hold paste on the bee sting site for 5 minutes to neutralize the venom.
• Mud ~ Hold mud on the bee sting to remove the stinger and reduce the swelling.
• Onion ~ Keep an onion slice on the bee sting for about 1 hour.
• Papaya ~ Wrap a slice of fresh papaya on the bee sting for an hour.
• Parsley ~ Crush fresh parsley and rub into the bee sting. Parsley will relieve the pain and neutralize the venom.

• Plantain leaves ~ Collect a number of leaves and stack them on top of each other, rip the leaves in half and form one stack. Rub the torn end of the leaves on the sting to draw out the venom and reduce the swelling. Takes five minutes and completely cures the bee sting. It is best to use young plantain leaves.
  
• St. John's Wort ~ Using St. John's Wort oil and bentonite clay make a paste and apply to the bee sting site. The clay will draw out the venom, and the St John's wort oil will relieve swelling.
• Tea bag ~ Moisten a tea bag with water, then put it on the affected area to draw out the bee venom.
• Toothpaste ~ Apply some toothpaste (not gel) on the bee sting to relieve the pain.

Recommended Food:

Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids will promote skin healing and reduce inflammation.

• Fish (salmon, cod, mackerel)
• Ground flaxseeds
• Avocados
• Wheat Germ

Eating foods high in Vitamins A and C will speed your skin's recovery from the inflammation.  Try to eat green, orange and yellow vegetables at each meal.

Foods to Avoid:

Sugar worsens the inflammatory response, so stay away from refined sugar products including cookies, cakes, sweet baked goods and sodas.  Eat fruit in moderation.