Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Douse with vinegar. Will sooth the irritation and relieve itching.

Dab aloe vera on all bites to soothe the pain.  Aloe vera has long been a staple in bug-bite treatment. But don't buy your aloe vera in the health-food store or supermarket. Use only fresh aloe vera directly from the plant, since much of aloe vera's power is lost one hour after it is extracted from the leaf. You can buy aloe vera plants at your local nursery. Break off a leaf and squeeze out the gel onto the bite.

Place a few drops of black cohosh tincture on *insect stings or *snake bites.

Calendula Tincture - It’s easy to make a calendula tincture at home by just adding 15 grams of fresh petals of the flowers to 100 millilitres of vodka, letting it stand for 10 days, then siphoning it off. However, it’s better to purchase a quality brand tincture at your health food store that guarantees the proper potency. Calendula tincture, diluted in four parts of water, is very helpful in making a compress for open and poor healing wounds. You can treat insect stings, mycosis (nail fungus), all other skin irritations and inflammations by repeatedly dabbing a tincture-soaked cotton wad on the affected area.

Chamomile:-  The topical uses of this beloved botanical are equally diverse as the internal ones. Skin and scalp conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and dandruff are often improved by an application of this soothing plant, as are infected wounds, leg ulcers, hemorrhoids and insect bites. Chamomile poultices or compresses can be used to help heal bruises, burns, sprains or calluses.

Use chaparral tea (leaves and stems) to clean the bite wound. Chaparral has saponins that naturally cleanse the system of toxic impurities. This herb also acts as an antibiotic.

Comfrey, another herb, helps to remove the puffy, stiff swelling of a bite. Apply topically using the same technique as with goldenseal. For maximum effectiveness, apply goldenseal first, then comfrey. If inconvenient, the two may be combined into a single paste.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules) is a powerful bactericidal and has antiviral properties. Eucalyptus is an excellent immune stimulant, and it’s good for travellers who are tired, run down, and prone to frequent colds. Eucalyptus is also beneficial for muscle aches and pains, sprains, burns, blisters, cuts, wounds, and insect bites; it can also be used as an insect repellent.

Goldenseal, an antimicrobial herb, helps control secondary infection and purifies tissue. Apply topically to the bite. Make a paste of the root powder and cover with a hot, moist compress.

Lavender is a mild and versatile first aid and general-purpose oil that is effective in treating acne, eczema, bruises, burns, sunburn, insect bites and stings, and lice.

Lemons have also been shown to help in the following diseases and conditions: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insect bites, migraine headaches, inflammation, influenza, the common cold, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, heartburn, gout, neuritis, diabetes, fevers, and rheumatism. Lemons are also a tasty way to aid digestion and may help to dissolve gallstones.

Lavender, tea tree, everlast or blue camomile essential oils dabbed on the bite every 10 minutes will reduce swelling.

Meat tenderizer is a wonderful cure for bites since insect stings are made mostly of protein and the papain or bromelain ingredients in the tenderizer work to break down the protein and reduce the inflammation.

The essential oil of oregano is widely appreciated for its many health benefits. A powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic, it can be used to treat a variety of ailments including food poisoning, giardia, flu, toothache, insect bites, athlete’s foot, and candida. Dilute it with a carrier oil, never put directly on the skin

Parsley leaves can be ground into a paste, mixed with water, and used on the skin to treat stings and insect bites. Parsley juice has been shown to mildly inhibit the secretion of histamine, making it useful in treating hives and relieving other allergy symptoms. Externally parsley poultices can help soothe tired, irritated eyes and speed the healing of bruises. The juice or poultice will relieve the itch and sting of insect bites and serves well as a mosquito repellent.

Peppermint:-  For insect bites, apply one to four drops of the oil straight on the bite. Peppermint’s cooling and heating properties not only stop the irritation, but also reduce the possibility of infection. This same quality makes it excellent for applying on herpes sores and can even kill the virus. Alternatively, put several drops of oil in the bath for a soothing, yet invigorating soak.

Plantain:-  Because of its astringency, plantain possesses a drawing action. When the leaves are crushed and held in contact with the skin over an insect bite for half an hour, the inflammation and itching can be avoided. This is because the insect venom is pulled out immediately, before it can be carried to other parts of the body. The widespread availability in nature of this immediate first aid treatment is worth keeping in mind today..........

Australian tea tree oil’s characteristic strong scent may not appeal to everyone, but this oil’s powerful antiseptic, anti-infectious, and immune-stimulating actions make it effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Use it to clear up acne, cold sores, athlete’s foot, insect bites, and warts.

Witch hazel:- First Nations in Eastern Canada used the leaves, twigs, and bark of this indigenous plant to treat wounds, insect bites, ulcers, and piles. According to Steven Foster’s Herbal Renaissance (Gibbs Smith, 1993) Algonquin tribes rubbed down their legs and arms with a witch hazel infusion to stay limber before athletic competitions and to relieve sore muscles after. A poultice of the bark soothed eye inflammations. In simple terms, witch hazel sweeps away swelling, pain, and toxins and speeds the healing process, making our cells cleaner, stronger, and more resilient.

Yarrow reduces the *itching and swelling, while lemon balm, plantain and ivy leaves soothe and heal. Crush or gently rub leaves on the bite.

Take a bar of Aveeno (oatmeal) soap, put it in your hand with a little water and make a stiff foam, then "paint" this over the bite area. It will dry to a dust. Aveeno draws out the poisons and toxins from the skin. Or, take a warm bath in two cups of Aveeno oatmeal bath powder and two cups of Epsom salts. (Aveeno is great for poison ivy as well.)

Homeopathics

Apis mel:-  Homeopathy provides safe and effective natural options for all types of bug bites and stings. The homeopathic remedy Apis comes in a gel, pill or tincture and works on sting-like symptoms. Dana Ullman, MPH, author of several books on homeopathy, including Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants (Jeremy Tarcher/Putnam, 1992) was my source for the recommendation that Apis mel would work for bee stings. He lists symptoms characterized by redness, swelling, and burning stinging pain ......

Ledum palustre (from wild rosemary) heals tissues from the deepest point, up toward the surface, so it is ideal for puncture wounds like mosquito and spider bites. As with Apis mel, symptoms worsen with warmth and improve with cold; the main difference is that Ledum is particularly sensitive to touch, so it is also useful for rashes that develop from profuse scratching or allergic reactions.

Hypericum perforatum (from St. John’s wort) is known as the nerve remedy, so it is indicated for any bite from a large insect or sting that affects the nervous system. Sometimes spider bites or bee, hornet, and wasp stings are especially penetrating and characterized by throbbing pain.

Arnica Montana (from the mountain daisy leopard’s bane) will help reduce swelling and soreness from all insect bites. Use Arnica as a complement to any other remedy listed here.

Homeopathically:  Tissue Salts - Nat mur can be made into a paste by adding a little water, and applied directly to the bite to soothe the irritation.

In addition to these homeopathic remedies, Calendula ointment can provide immediate relief for the burning sensation associated with bee stings, ant bites, and other insect bites.

Bug Off!

Bugs love to bite, so make your own insect repellent! Just put one bay leaf with a teaspoon of dried eucalyptus, two teaspoons of dried rosemary and four teaspoons of pennyroyal into a jar, add enough oil to cover two inches above the herbs and then seal the jar and put it in a sunny location for two weeks. Drain out the herbs and it’s ready go into your survival kit.

Citronella lotions and skin patches are natural alternatives to toxic DEET-based repellents. Neem tree oil, which contains the compound salannin, also deters insects. Lemongrass, combined with citronella, eucalyptus and rosemary oil in a spray, is another non-toxic alternative.

Lavender and citronella essential oils are trusted insect repellents and are available in many different preparations from your natural health store. Particularly effective and pleasant to use is the essential oil blend of lavender, peppermint, citronella, and lemongrass in a calendula oil or a water-based spritzer. Fresh yarrow plants can be rubbed directly onto the skin and lemon balm or yarrow tea can be misted onto children to repel mosquitoes. There are even specific spritzers to repel fleas, ticks, and other biting insects from your pets.

Generally, these essential oils offer protection for up to three hours. However, be warned: even these natural oils can cause sensitivity and allergic reactions, so frequency of application should be kept to a minimum. Citronella is not recommended for children under two years of age.

Nutrition

To prevent bites from mosquitoes and horseflies, avoid *alcohol. Alcohol causes the skin to flush and the blood vessels to dilate, attracting insects.

You may be interested to know, that people who live on a healthful diet (one that doesn't include sugar, salt, or "junk food") seem to be bitten by insects less often than are those men and women whose eating habits are more typically "North American". If you suffer from more insect bites than do most folks around you, it might be that it's time for you to change your diet!

Eating garlic or rubbing it on the skin helps repel insects. Yeast also helps reduce susceptibility to bites. Eat nutritional yeast daily for three weeks before going into the woods to discourage mosquitoes and black flies from biting. After a severe insect bite, drink plenty of pure spring water, light soups and diluted juices to flush out residual toxins.

Nutritional Supplements

As a prevention for insect bites, garlic and vitamin B1 (thiamine) supplements are effective, as they give off an unfavorable scent to the insect. A vitamin B complex can be added to B1 for several weeks to prevent imbalances. Use brewer’s yeast supplements for pets, or nutritional yeast for humans. Garlic is more effective against ticks. Take these supplements several days before and throughout a trip to wooded, damp areas.

Very high doses of vitamin C, taken together with calcium, can be used effectively to combat the *allergic and toxic effects of all kinds of bites, even against venomous spiders and *snakes. The calcium also seems to markedly reduce the *pain.

Daily Dosages

• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 4,000-10,000 mg immediately following a bite and 1,000 mg every few hours
• Vitamin B1, 50 mg twice daily
• Garlic, 2 capsules three times daily
• Vitamin B complex, 50 mg daily
• Calcium, 1,200 mg

External/Physical Therapies

• Remove stinger immediately by scraping the skin with your fingernail or a nail file. Do not use tweezers or squeeze the stinger, as that will inject more venom into the *wound.
• Place a slice of fresh onion on the sting.
• To disinfect, dab the spot with alcohol.
• Apply ice to the area to slow absorption of the venom.
• For first aid, if nothing else is at hand, rub saliva into the bite.
• Mud, just plain old ordinary mud, mixed into a paste & applied to bee & wasp stings is soothing.
• Toothpase sooths blackfly & mosquito bites
• The deodorant Secret also stops the itching
• Ozonated oil and creams can be used for topical applications to treat insect bites, skin wounds and disorders.
• 
  If stung inside the mouth, gargle with liquid whey or, if not available, with salt water (2 tbsp. salt to 3 oz. of water).
• A cabbage leaf poultice applied to the neck will further help in reducing the poison’s effect.
• For ant, mosquito, tick and chigger bites, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Use a brush and scrub chigger bites, then apply damp baking soda.
• Once a tick is found on the skin, it should be removed with tweez-ers by pulling the head, which is closest to the skin. Once removed,the tick must be burned. Trying to remove the tick with the hands can cause the head to embed even more firmly in the skin.
• A capsule of vitamin E emptied onto the skin supports healing and alleviates *pain.
• Use a charcoal poultice over the site of the sting to absorb the venom.
• After Bite, available in most health-food stores. It is extremely effective in soothing the intense itching caused by mosquito bites. Itch control is vitally important, because scratching open wounds can create potentially problematic secondary infections. Just be sure to store After Bite in a safe place away from kids, because its main ingredient is lye (sodium hydroxide). There is no danger if After Bite is applied properly. If applying to children, watch them for five minutes or so to be sure they don't touch their eyes or ingest it. By that time the solution should be absorbed.

Bee Sting

When honey bees sting, they release a poison that causes a local inflammation. Other stinging venomous insects are wasps and hornets. Bees leave their stinger in the victim; wasps and hornets do not. These insects sting as a response to a threat. They are particularly attracted to bright colors and flowery designs and they like sweet perfumes of all sorts, including those in hairsprays and gels, sunscreen and hand lotions. Most of all, insects like the syrups, honey and sugars common to soft drinks, pastries and fruits.

To ease the pain and inflammation, ice the area immediately and then apply a paste made with baking soda and water

Nutrition:-  For bee stings on the face and neck, eat ice-cubes at once until help arrives, to reduce swelling which can constrict the airway. Children should eat crushed ice only.

The essential fatty acids omega-3 alpha-linolenic and omega-6 linoleic acid contained in unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil are converted to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the body. The oil from fish such as cod, salmon and mackerel has a similar anti-inflammatory action. Raw fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C, which promotes speedy healing. Avocados and wheat germ are rich in the antioxidant vitamin E, which is also helpful in the healing process.

Nutritional Supplements:-  Large doses of vitamin C taken with calcium reduce the toxic effects of bee stings and also alleviates pain. If *diarrhea occurs, reduce the dosage to a more comfortable level. Do not rely solely on vitamin C in an emergency situation. Chlorophyll from alfalfa, blue-green algae or spirulina helps detoxify the blood.

Herbal Remedies

Bee stings inject a toxin into the blood and the lymph system that affects internal organs and can cause the formation of harmful free radicals in the body. Herbal remedies can promote healing of the skin, decrease inflammation, help the body cleanse residual toxins from the blood and boost the immune system.

Crush and gently rub herbal leaves on the bee sting. Use plantain, lemon balm and ivy leaves to soothe and heal, and yarrow to reduce the *itching and swelling.

To boost the immune system and purify the blood, take 10-20 drops of echinacea tincture in liquid (yellow dock tea will enhance the effect) or 1-2 capsules or tablets three times daily for up to a week, if required.

To soothe the sting and speed scarless healing, slice a fresh leaf of aloe plant and dab the gel on the bite two to three times daily.
Homeopathy

Choose one of the remedies listed below in a 6c strength, taking 2 tablets under the tongue every ten minutes until the pain subsides or for up to six doses, then three times daily for up to three days if necessary.

Ledum is the first recommendation for a bee sting. Ledum will reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. It is most indicated when the affected area feels cold or numb, but can be used immediately after a sting, before symptoms become obvious.

Apis should be used as an alternative if the swelling develops prominently. The area is red, hot and noticeably swollen.

Tissue Salts:-  Nat mur is the main tissue salt for relief from bee stings. Take 4 tablets under the tongue every ten to fifteen minutes for serious pain and swelling, or hourly for lesser pain. A maintenance dose for lingering pain is three times daily. For less serious stings, mix tablets into a paste by adding a little water, and apply to the sting.

Spider bites:

Spiders inject a toxin into the blood and lymph system that affects internal organs and can cause the formation of harmful free radicals in the body.

To boost the immune system and purify the blood, take 10-20 drops of echinacea tincture in liquid or 1-2 capsules or tablets three times daily for up to a week.

After the venom is removed and the bite thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, apply comfrey and plaintain salve to speed healing. Make sure all traces of venom have been removed from the area before applying comfrey, as this herb almost instantly rebuilds tissue over the area.

Rattlesnake and black widow venom are almost the same, so they should be treated similarly. Remain as still as possible to avoid the venom spreading to other parts of the body. Encourage bleeding at the bite to rid the body of the *poison.

To cool and draw out toxins, mix 1 tbsp. of medicinal clay with 1/2 cup of water. Dab on the affected area every two hours on the first day and apply a clay compress for the night. On the following days, alternate with aloe vera.

 Some of this is from a variety of articles at www.Alive.com