Learn about this common herb that is natural remedy for mosquito bites.
A Natural Remedy for Mosquito Bites
From the backwoods to the backyard, plantain (Plantago, various species) is one of the best herbs to treat bug bites.
You probably won’t need to plant this home remedy because it is a very common weed, often growing in compacted soil along sidewalks and driveways. To use the plant as first aid for a mosquito bite, crush a few leaves and rub them on the bite.
Some anti-itch drugstore medicines to use include Calamine lotion or cortisone creams. Doctors generally recommend pain relievers, ice packs and meat tenderizer to treat insect bites and stings. Promptly applying a dab of commercial meat tenderizer directly to a sting can neutralize the allergen.
Adapted from The Green Pharmacy by James Duke, Ph.D.
Barbara Pleasant, a regular contributor to MOTHER EARTH NEWS, is the author of The Gardener’s Bug Book. Her most recent book, Garden Stone, received the Garden Globe award from the Garden Writers of America.
