Bee Sting: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A bee sting is a painful wound inflicted by a honey bee, bumble bee, or carpenter bee when they feel threatened or are protecting their colony.

The stinger causes the bee to die, and the venom injected into the skin can lead to severe allergic reactions, redness, swelling, and pain. If not treated promptly, bee stings can cause nausea, fever, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies such as aloe vera gel, calendula, and plantain can be applied topically, while tea made from chamomile or peppermint can be consumed to reduce inflammation and ease pain.

However, individuals should consult a medical professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if they have a severe allergy or are pregnant.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of bee sting, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of bee sting?

The main causes of bee sting are due to the defensive action of bees in response to perceived threats, primarily when their colony or nest is disturbed.

Bees are most likely to sting when they feel threatened or territorial, especially when their nest is threatened, or when they are handled carelessly. The venom from bee stings is released from the barbed stinger, which gets stuck in the skin of the victim, leading to pain, swelling, and inflammation. In some cases, bee stings can also be caused by allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to bee venom.

Research suggests that nearly 90% of bee stings are provoked by humans, while only 5% are defensive stings from foragers or guard bees.

• Swatting: Swatting at bees or other flying insects often results in bee stings when the bee is accidentally harmed or provoked, leading to a defensive sting.
• Vibrations: Vibrations from activities such as mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower can disturb bees, causing them to become aggressive and sting in self-defense.
• Honey Robbery: Robbing honey from beehives can provoke bees to sting in defense of their colony and honey stores.
• Nesting Disturbance: Disturbing or damaging a beehive or nest can cause bees to become aggressive and sting in self-defense.
• Food Interference: Interfering with bees collecting food or nectar can cause them to become defensive and sting.
• Clothing or Perfume: Wearing sweet-smelling perfume, cologne, or certain clothing can attract bees and cause them to sting, often in error.
• Color or Movement: Bees may be attracted to bright colors, movement, or other visual stimuli, leading to stings, often in error.
• Food or Drink: Consuming sweet or fermented foods and drinks can attract bees and cause them to sting, often in error.
• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as seizures or epilepsy, can cause people to inadvertently provoke bees, leading to stings.
• Other Animals: Other animals, such as dogs or cats, can disturb bees or provoke them to sting when they enter the bees' vicinity.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for bee sting?

The main medicinal herbs used for bee sting are Calendula officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Apium graveolens, Arnica montana, Plantago lanceolata, Aloe barbadensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Urtica dioica, Echinacea purpurea, Hamamelis virginiana.

Calendula officinalis contains triterpenoids and sesquiterpenes that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to reduce swelling and prevent infection at the sting site. Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John's Wort, contains flavonoids and phenolic acids that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, alleviating pain and reducing redness. Apium graveolens, or celery, contains apigenin and luteolin that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to soothe and calm the affected area.

Additionally, the other herbs such as Arnica montana, Plantago lanceolata, Aloe barbadensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Urtica dioica, Echinacea purpurea, and Hamamelis virginiana have various compounds that help to reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and prevent infection, making them valuable in the treatment of bee stings.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps to alleviate bee sting symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can reduce pain, swelling, and the risk of infection.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John's Wort, is used topically to treat bee stings by reducing inflammation and relieving pain thanks to its active compounds, including hyperforin and hypericin, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• Apium graveolens: Apium graveolens, or celery, has been traditionally used to treat various types of stings, including bee stings, due to its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, which can help to reduce swelling and promote the removal of toxins.
• Arnica montana: Arnica montana is commonly used to treat bee sting pain and swelling due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can reduce discomfort, redness, and the risk of infection.
• Plantago lanceolata: Plantago lanceolata, or lance-leaved plantain, has been used to treat bee stings due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help to reduce swelling, pain, and the risk of infection.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis is used to treat bee sting symptoms, including pain and inflammation, due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can help to calm the skin and promote healing.
• Vaccinium myrtillus: Vaccinium myrtillus, or bilberry, has been traditionally used to treat bee stings due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help to reduce swelling, pain, and the risk of infection.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle, has been used to treat bee sting symptoms, including pain and inflammation, due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can help to reduce discomfort and promote healing.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea is used to treat bee sting symptoms, including pain and inflammation, due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which can help to reduce discomfort, promote healing, and prevent infection.
• Hamamelis virginiana: Hamamelis virginiana, or witch hazel, is used to treat bee sting symptoms, including pain and inflammation, due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help to reduce swelling, promote healing, and prevent infection.

What are the main herbal preparations used for bee sting?

The main herbal preparations used for bee sting are Tincture, Cream, Salve, Decoction, Ointment, Gel, Poultice, Capsule, Suppository, Paste.

Tincture of plantain and calendula is used to treat bee stings as they have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Cream and Salve preparations often contain plant extracts like aloe vera and tea tree oil which help in reducing swelling and promoting wound healing. Decoction of plants like chamomile and yarrow is used topically to soothe and calm the affected area.

Capsule and Suppository preparations are less common but may contain plant extracts like bee pollen and propolis which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

• Tincture: A tincture made from the plant Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John's Wort, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and pain due to its antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Cream: A cream made from the plant Aloe barbadensis, also known as Aloe vera, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
• Salve: A salve made from the plant Calendula officinalis, also known as Calendula, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Decoction: A decoction made from the plant Plantago lanceolata, also known as Plantain, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the plant Echinacea purpurea, also known as Echinacea, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and promoting immune function due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
• Gel: A gel made from the plant Arnica montana, also known as Arnica, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and pain due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the plant Yarrow Achillea millefolium, also known as Yarrow, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Capsule: A capsule made from the plant Apis mellifera, also known as Honey bee, is not typically used for bee sting treatment as it is not a herbal remedy, but a bee venom immunotherapy may be used in some cases, which is not a capsule made from a plant.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the plant Plantago lanceolata, also known as Plantain, is not typically used for bee sting treatment, but may be used to deliver anti-inflammatory and soothing properties rectally.
• Paste: A paste made from the plant Echinacea purpurea, also known as Echinacea, helps with bee stings by reducing inflammation and promoting immune function due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.