Homeopathic Ledum is the first choice for insect bites.
Most of the time it brings quick relief.
Ledum can also be used for bee stings.
But Apis is the one most people use first, as this remedy is made from honey bees.
Ledum would be #2 for a bee sting.
Both are good remedies to keep in your car, in your emergency travel kit, just in case you’re stung or bitten.
Please not this article is not intended for medical advice.
It’s written for informational purposes only.
People who need epi pens should still carry them and seek emergency medical care if they’re stung.
Instead, I’m writing about run-of-the-mill bites and stings, which can be treated at home.
So Ledum and Apis are your two main go-to solutions.
But there are other remedies to consider, in case these front-line choices don’t help.
One thing to note.
If you take Ledum and it’s working beautifully there’s no need to switch to Apis.
Or any other remedy.
The same applies to Apis.
Nowadays, much homeopathy discussion happens on Facebook.
There are various Facebook remedy suggestion groups.
Often we see posts encouraging people to change remedies, even when it’s clear their first choice is working well.
This is bad advice and it will likely confuse the case and delay the cure.
Trust your instincts if you see significant improvement.
You made a good choice so stick with it.
The other thing to remember is to do Minimum Dosing.
This means not giving additional doses while the current dose is still working.
Too many doses can spoil the cases, just like too many cups of sugar will spoil the recipe.
Aggressive dosing can increase the symptoms you’re trying to calm.
So the bite site looks even worse than it did before any remedies were given.
This scenario can be avoided with careful remedy matching and sticking to the Minimum Dose.
Homeopathic Remedies For Bug Bites
Most bites and stings will respond to Apis or Ledum.
But sometimes you need other remedies.
Below are some of the most common remedies for bug bites.
- Ledum – This is the first remedy to reach for, whether it’s a tick, flea or mosquito bite. The area may become unusually itchy or swollen. For the record, I don’t treat every single mosquito bite because it would involve taking a lot of Ledum, a remedy I want to work when I really need it. I do use it for tick bites. But I don’t follow one of the popular tick bite protocol recipes circulating on social media. Here is an earlier article on treating a tick bite with homeopathy.
- Apis – Made from the honeybee this remedy is naturally first choice for bee stings. But if it doesn’t work most homeopaths would say try Ledum next. Burning and stinging are part of the symptom picture, along with redness and swelling. The site may also become very itchy. The bite will likely be sore to the touch. Cold applications and cool air likely feel better. Heat will probably aggravate the sting.
- Hypericum – Like Ledum this is a front-line remedy for puncture wounds. Consider this if neither Ledum or Apis works. Hypericum bites and stings are exceptionally sore. They can also cause sharp shooting pain. It’s also one of the remedies indicated if bites started to become infected.
- Arnica – This remedy belongs in every house. It’s not just for head bumps and other kinds of trauma. It can also be used for bug bites. Consider this if the bite swells and Apis doesn’t help.
- Vespa – Consider this for a sting if Apis works a little but the improvement doesn’t last. This is also a top remedy to think of for wasp bites, as it’s made from the European hornet. Similar to Apis there will be burning and stinging, along with a possible sensation of being pierced with hot needles. Cold water on the sting site helps at first but then makes the pain worse. A person who needs this remedy will be worse with heat and movement. Vespa is a good remedy to carry in your emergency kit but unfortunately it’s not easy to find. (Apis is widely available). You may need to order Vespa from one of the few remaining homeopathic pharmacies in the United States or from the UK-based Helios Homeopathy.
- Caladium – If itching is the most prominent feature and the top bug bite remedies aren’t working you may want to think about Caladium. This is also a remedy you can consider for flea bites.
- Pulex – This is another remedy for flea bites, since it’s made from fleas. The person who needs it may be irritable and impatient.
- Lachesis – Think of this remedy if a bluish area develops around the bite. Ledum is also known for bluish skin discoloration but we’re assuming you’ve already tried that remedy.
- Staphysagria – Intense itching and pain that’s worse when you touch it will probably be the main features.
- Histamine – Consider this for extreme redness and swelling when none of the remedies you’ve tried are working. Also, please head to the emergency room if you are having signs of anaphylaxis.
- Tarentula – Spiders are technically not insects, since they have eight instead of six legs. But this remedy is worth mentioning in case you have a spider bite and none of the usual remedies work.
With the rise of Lyme disease many people are understandably worried about tick bites.
Ledum is the most recommended remedy.
Unfortunately there’s no consensus as to how much to take, something I explain in this earlier article on tick bites.
Nothing written here is meant to dissuade anyone from seeking emergency medical care when needed.