Insect Bites: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Insect bites are painful and itchy skin injuries caused by the feeding or stinging behavior of insects, such as mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and ants.

These bites occur when insects inject saliva or venom into the skin, causing inflammation and triggering an immune response. If left untreated, insect bites can lead to infection, allergic reactions, and increased risk of diseases like Zika and malaria. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies like aloe vera, chamomile, and tea tree oil can be used in topical creams or ointments.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using any medicinal herbs, as some may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying health conditions, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of insect bites, 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 insect bites?

The main causes of insect bites are due to the pursuit of food, mating, and territorial defense.

Insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and bed bugs bite humans to access a source of blood, which provides them with essential nutrients and proteins. The female Anopheles mosquito, for example, bites humans to obtain a blood meal necessary for the production of eggs. Some insects, like honey bees and wasps, may also bite in self-defense when their nests are threatened or when they feel threatened.

Furthermore, insects like mosquitoes and ticks may bite due to their ability to detect heat and carbon dioxide emanating from their human hosts.

• Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes bite to feed on human blood, which they need to produce eggs, and their bites are often accompanied by allergic reactions, such as itching and swelling, in humans.
• Bed Bugs: Bed bugs bite to feed on human blood, which they need to survive and reproduce, and their bites often cause itching, redness, and swelling in humans.
• Fleas: Fleas bite to feed on the blood of mammals and birds, which they need to produce eggs, and their bites often cause discomfort, itching, and allergic reactions in humans.
• Ticks: Ticks bite to feed on the blood of mammals and birds, which they need to produce eggs, and their bites can transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, to humans.
• Wasps: Wasps bite to defend themselves when they feel threatened, and their stings can cause pain, redness, and swelling, and in some cases, anaphylaxis, in humans.
• Bees: Bees bite to defend themselves when they feel threatened, and their stings can cause pain, redness, and swelling, and in some cases, anaphylaxis, in humans.
• Kissing Bugs: Kissing bugs bite to feed on human blood, which they need to produce eggs, and their bites can transmit diseases, such as Chagas disease, to humans.
• Mites: Mites bite to feed on the skin and blood of mammals and birds, which they need to survive and reproduce, and their bites can cause itching, redness, and swelling in humans.
• Flies: Flies bite to feed on the blood and bodily fluids of mammals and birds, which they need to survive and reproduce, and their bites can cause discomfort, itching, and allergic reactions in humans.
• Biting Midges: Biting midges bite to feed on human blood, which they need to produce eggs, and their bites often cause itching, redness, and swelling in humans.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for insect bites?

The main medicinal herbs used for insect bites are Calendula officinalis, Aloe vera, Arnica montana, Hypericum perforatum, Echinacea purpurea, Plantago major, Urtica dioica, Saponaria officinalis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Symphytum officinale.

Calendula officinalis, rich in triterpenoids and flavonoids, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, reducing redness and swelling caused by insect bites. Aloe vera, containing aloin and aloe-emodin, soothes and calms the skin, promoting wound healing and reducing pain. Arnica montana, with its sesquiterpene lactones, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, while Hypericum perforatum, rich in hyperforin and hypericin, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, reducing redness and swelling.

Echinacea purpurea, Plantago major, Urtica dioica, Saponaria officinalis, Vaccinium myrtillus, and Symphytum officinale also possess anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, reducing redness, swelling, pain, and promoting wound healing.

• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis contains triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to soothe and heal insect bites by reducing redness, swelling, and the risk of infection.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera contains aloin and aloe-emodin, which have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, helping to reduce the severity of insect bites by promoting wound healing, reducing swelling, and preventing infection.
• Arnica montana: Arnica montana contains arnidiol and arnicol, which have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, helping to reduce redness, swelling, and pain associated with insect bites by promoting wound healing and preventing infection.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum contains hyperforin and hypericin, which have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, helping to soothe and heal insect bites by reducing redness, swelling, and the risk of infection, while also promoting wound healing.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea contains alkylamides and phenolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, helping to boost the immune system and reduce the severity of insect bites by promoting wound healing and preventing infection.
• Plantago major: Plantago major contains flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to soothe and heal insect bites by reducing redness, swelling, and the risk of infection, while also promoting wound healing.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica contains flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to soothe and heal insect bites by reducing redness, swelling, and the risk of infection, while also promoting wound healing.
• Saponaria officinalis: Saponaria officinalis contains saponins, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, helping to soothe and heal insect bites by reducing redness, swelling, and the risk of infection, while also promoting wound healing.
• Vaccinium myrtillus: Vaccinium myrtillus contains anthocyanins and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to soothe and heal insect bites by reducing redness, swelling, and oxidative stress, while also promoting wound healing.
• Symphytum officinale: Symphytum officinale contains allantoin and mucilage, which have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, helping to reduce redness, swelling, and pain associated with insect bites by promoting wound healing and preventing infection.

What are the main herbal preparations used for insect bites?

The main herbal preparations used for insect bites are Decoction, Tincture, Cream, Salve, Ointment, Gel, Capsule, Poultice, Tea, Suppository.

Decoction, a liquid extract, is used for plants like plantain and yarrow, which are applied topically to reduce swelling and itching. Tincture, a concentrated liquid extract, is used for plants like calendula and hypericum, which are applied topically to soothe and reduce inflammation. Creams, Salves, and Ointments are topical preparations, often with a base of petroleum jelly or beeswax, which are used for plants like aloe vera and chamomile, to moisturize and calm the skin.

Capsules, containing dried and powdered herbs like lavender and peppermint, are taken orally to reduce inflammation and itching from the inside, while Poultices, made from crushed plants like plantain and dandelion, are applied topically to draw out toxins and reduce swelling, Tea, made from herbs like peppermint and chamomile, is consumed to reduce itching and inflammation from the inside, and Suppositories, made from herbs like aloe vera and calendula, are inserted rectally to soothe and calm irritated skin.

• Decoction: A decoction of the plant Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) helps with insect bites by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as hyperforin and hypericin, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and pain at the bite site.
• Tincture: A tincture of the plant Plantago major (Plantain) helps with insect bites by absorbing into the skin, where its bioactive compounds, such as aucubin and allantoin, exert anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, thereby calming the skin and reducing irritation at the bite site.
• Cream: A cream containing the plant Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) helps with insect bites by providing a physical barrier that protects the skin from further irritation, while its bioactive compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and pain at the bite site.
• Salve: A salve of the plant Calendula officinalis (Calendula) helps with insect bites by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as triterpenoids and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and infection at the bite site.
• Ointment: An ointment of the plant Arnica montana (Arnica) helps with insect bites by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as arnica acid and helenalin, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and pain at the bite site.
• Gel: A gel of the plant Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) helps with insect bites by providing a cool and soothing effect on the skin, while its bioactive compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and pain at the bite site.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the plant Curcuma longa (Turmeric) helps with insect bites by releasing its bioactive compound, curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and pain at the bite site.
• Poultice: A poultice of the plant Plantago major (Plantain) helps with insect bites by applying a paste of the plant material directly to the affected area, where its bioactive compounds, such as aucubin and allantoin, exert anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, thereby calming the skin and reducing irritation at the bite site.
• Tea: A tea of the plant Chamomilla recutita (Chamomile) helps with insect bites by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as apigenin and luteolin, which have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and pain at the bite site.
• Suppository: A suppository of the plant Calendula officinalis (Calendula) helps with insect bites by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as triterpenoids and flavonoids, directly into the affected area, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, thereby reducing redness, swelling, and infection at the bite site.