Homeopathy for Bites and Stings

With the long summer days fast approaching, the likelihood is that you’ll be spending more time outside in the garden, and/or undertaking out-door pursuits. This inevitably means that you are likely to encounter more insects than usual, which unfortunately increases your chances of being bitten or stung. 

With this in mind, we’ve put together a short list of homeopathic remedies which may help to relieve the pain and swelling resulting from of a sting, and speed up the healing process.

It is advisable to clean the affected area thoroughly, and extract any sting remaining in the skin. After this initial step, try rubbing Calendula or Hypercal cream into the wound. 

For a more severe reaction, the following remedies taken in tablet form, may help:

Apis – Often effective for both bee and wasp stings. Use when the wound swells, the bite is often red and angry, sting may

burn

Arnica – for bruising and soreness (for example, a horse fly bite directly into a muscle pocket)

Cantharis – use when burning is the overriding symptom to the bite or sting

Hypericum – very effective if the injury is near nerve endings, with shooting pains through nerves

Ledum – helpful if the wound feels cold to touch, or is relieved by cold application

These remedy descriptions are only intended as a guideline, so please consult a registered homeopath for individualised treatment. 

To find a practitioner near you, please visit our website: 

www.a-r-h.org/FindMembers/find.php

Please note, if you experience serious symptoms after being stung, such as breathing difficulties or a racing heart, consult a doctor without delay.

This article was originally published in 'Homeopathy Healthy Medicine' in June 2010. This is a free newsletter published by ARH, and available at http://www.a-r-h.org/publications.htm.