Natural First Aid for Spider Bites

It’s definitely summer. The spiders are out in force in my house. I’ve never been able to stop it, and I don’t want to spray a ton of chemicals in my home to kill them either. Especially now that I have a baby.

But a couple of months ago, my son got bitten by a spider, and he is still suffering from it! So I did a little research on natural first aid for my little guy, and for anyone. Here’s what I found.

• Clean the wound with soap and water. Then apply a natural “antibiotic” ointment.

Add 8-10 drops of tea tree oil to a quart of ice water. Soak a clean cotton cloth or cotton ball in the mixture and apply as a compress for 15 minutes up to 4 times a day. 

Echinacea is effective for wounds and stings. Take 250-500 mg every two to three hours for the first day, then three or four times daily until the swelling subsides — up to five days.

• Apply fresh Aloe Vera to the bite if you have access to an aloe plant.

Try to identify the spider that bit you. The only truly dangerous spiders (especially here in California) are black widows and brown recluses. If one of those has bit you, seek medical treatment immediately.

If anyone knows of any Ayurvedic treatments for spider bites, I would love to hear about them, as I had a very difficult time locating any.

I hope you enjoy a “spider-bite-free” summer!

Tiffany

Ayurveda in Summer

With Summer nearly upon us, certain adjustments are necessary in the ayurvedic lifestyle to accommodate the body in the warmer months.

Summer is the season of Pitta. Heat abounds, and we must help our bodies cope with the warmer weather. Living in California, I can tell you that heat is definitely a contender in the fight between the seasons. Here are some things you can do to adjust to the scorching days of summer.

1. This is the time of year to conserve your energy. Leisurely activities are best.
2. Keeping the body cool is recommended, as overheating can cause a pitta imbalance.
3. Rest and relaxation are in order. This is a great time for the typical “summer vacation”
4. Eat cool, soft foods
5. Avoid bitter and acidic foods
6. Avoid alcohol, as this dehydrates the body
7. Keep hydrated with plenty of water
8. Surround yourself with calming soft colors and fragrances
9. Take extra care of your feet, as warm weather shoes tend to leave feet cracked and dry
10. Wear natural fibers such as cotton to allow your skin to breath

I’d love to know what you do to keep cool in the summer. Leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you.

Namaste,
Tiffany
Personal Alchemy
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