The crushed fresh leaves of several plants were used to rubbed to the infected part. These included parsley, plantain and balm. The leaves of flowers of marigold could be crushed and applied to the bite or sting. The leaf of the broad-leaved dock was a traditional remedy for nettle stings, dock handily often being found where nettles grow.
Crushed garlic or garlic macerated in oil was rubbed on insect bites or sting, and a cut leek could be also be used for this. Onion juice was rubbed on animal bites.
Sage tea applied to bites and stings was also thought to bring relief, as was a poultice made with cabbage. Cinnamon, oil of cardamom and oil of lavender were also used. Vinegar and witch hazel were another two possible remedies.
In the case of the sting of bees, wasp and hornets, it was advised to extract the sting and to apply ammonia or bicarbonate of soda (baking soda). These were also recommended for the bites of ants, gnats and mosquitoes.
Another cure for bee stings was to remove the sting and then put a cold compress on it, followed by a hot compress. An alternative remedy was to cover the affected area with damp cold soil.
Yet another cure for bee stings involved rubbing a little olive oil on the affected area. If this did not work, a poultice was to applied. Honey applied to an area stung by a bee was thought to be effective.
St. Jacob's oil was recommended in one cure for hornets stings. One cure recommended for anyone bitten by an adder was more complicated. It involved taking nine cloves of garlic and peeling them carefully. A spoonful of treacle and two pints of new strong ale were then added and mixed well. The patient was encouraged to drink freely of this mixture. He or she was to be well wrapped up while taking the cure to encourage perspiration.
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