Bee stings can be very nasty. Not only are they ordinary stings, but for some people, it can cause horrendous reactions. If one has seen the 1991 movie, My Girl, the boy Thomas met sudden demise when he was stung by a swarm of bees after he innocently kicked the bee hive. Bee stings happen when after a bee, or even wasps and hornets, perceives its hive to be threatened, defends the hive by stinging the enemy. The stinger, which lodges into the skin, will also release toxins that can be harmful to the body. When stung by the bee, the very first thing to do is to remove the stinger. The more the stinger stays in the skin, the more venom is injected into the body. There is no specific method as to the proper way to remove the stinger because what is important is to remove the stinger as soon as possible. When the stinger is removed, you can already apply the following home remedies to reduce further complications.

1. Honey

   Honey has been used even during the time of the Ancient Egyptians for wound healing. In the case of bee stings, honey is effective in protecting the wound from further complications caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. Additionally, honey is effective to reduce and prevent the pain sensation due to the reactions of the toxins within the tissues.

2. Baking Soda

   Bee stings are believed to be acidic, in the form of formic or methanoic acid.  To help in neutralizing the acidic environment of the sting which is believed to be the cause of the pain sensations, baking soda is applied to the skin. However, arguments have shown that there is not enough evidence to support this treatment method. First, although methanoic acid is injected into the tissues, it does not cause the inflammatory symptoms. Next, no matter how the baking soda is rubbed into the skin, it cannot penetrate the venom embedded in the tissues. However, there are claims that baking soda is effective in decreasing the symptoms of bee stings. If rubbing baking soda onto the sting works for you, then carry on.

3. Calendula

   Another name for calendula is pot marigold, with scientific name of Calendula officinalis. This versatile flower is not only easy to grow, according to botanist, but it is also versatile in terms of use. Calendula is not just used for decoration; it is also being cultivated as an herb, not just for culinary purposes, but also for medicinal purposes. There are several studies suggesting that calendula as a medicine does not only have an anti-inflammatory properties, but it is also effective against several toxins. For bee stings, calendula oil, ointment or tincture is applied onto the site. It is believed that calendula increases blood flow into the wound which can help in fighting the toxins that caused the inflammation.

4. Ice

   The purpose of ice is to reduce the inflammatory process caused by the sting. Cold compress, through the use of ice diminishes, pain, swelling and redness. When there are wounds, the inflammatory reaction will cause the body to increase blood flow into the wound; therefore, redness and heat is felt. Because of the increasing blood flow, more substances that increase pain activity are released at the site. By using cold compress, or ice, blood flow towards the site of the sting is reduced, which eventually reduces the inflammatory symptoms of the stung site.

5. Epsom Salt

   Another name for Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate has several medicinal uses. As a topical medicine, magnesium sulfate is used to decrease itchiness due to herpes and shingles. For bee stings, a paste of Epsom salt and water and applied to the stung site can help in the reduction of pain sensation due to the inflammatory process.

6. Aloe Vera

   Since the ancient time, aloe vera has been used as a remedy for several wound problems, particularly burns. The extracts of aloe vera have been studied and have shown to be effective in preventing fungal and bacterial infections and other skin problems.  In order to use for bee stings, after the stinger has been removed and the site was cleaned and applied with cold compress, aloe vera extract may be applied. Aloe vera can help reduce the pain and burning sensation due to the toxins within the tissues.

7. Parsley

   Parsley, or Petroselinum hortense, is not only good as food ingredient for several culinary dishes, but it is also good as treatment for symptoms of bee stings. Although not thoroughly studied, several people claimed that using parsley onto the stung site can help reduce the pain and discomfort of bee stings. To use, collect a handful of fresh garden parsley leaves. Pound the leaves using mortar and pestle. Apply the leaves onto the site, until the pain and discomfort diminishes.

8. Papaya

   When stung by the bee venom, papaya has long been used as remedy to reduce the inflammatory symptoms. Papaya contains the natural enzyme called papain. Papain has the capacity to break down many types of protein. In the case of the venom injected into the tissues, rubbing papaya onto the skin reduces the symptoms caused by the venom. In order to get the most out of papaya, use the unripe and green papaya. Green young papaya has more papain enzymes than the ripe ones, and will be more effective in fighting the discomfort felt by the sting.

9. Basil

   Basil is more popular in the kitchen than as a medicinal plant. However, in ancient times in India, not only are they using basil for their culinary dishes, they are also using them for pharmaceutical purposes. Basic is effective as sedative and antiseptic. Those with bronchitis and fever also found relief in using basil. For those stung by bees, macerated basil leaves in alcohol compound is used to reduce the symptoms of inflammation. Several claimed that basil is the most effective remedy for bee stings, because after applying the poultice onto the skin, swelling and pain is gone.

Sources
naturalhomeandgarden.com
tipnut.com
en.wikipedia.org
umm.edu
insectstings.co.uk
livestrong.com
grannymed.com