As the weather warms and days lengthen from spring to summer, we interact with more insects and outdoor activities that cause skin irritations. Wounds with pitta-related inflammation are cared for with cooling plants and herbs, including as cilantro, coconut, and turmeric. Care for stings, bites and burns, is most effective when applied as soon as possible after the incident, meaning that having some of these Ayurvedic remedies in your back pocket can prove to be useful when in a pinch.
Bites and Stings
Our bodies typically react to insect bites and stings with local irritation under the skin from insect venom. Although stings and bites are often not very harmful, as long as the venom remains under the skin, they can lead to periodic allergic reactions, further swelling, and breathlessness. Maintaining keen awareness of a person’s reaction to a bite is the first step to applying these remedies and preventative measures.
Cilantro – Cooling properties of cilantro will pacify the itching, burning, and rash caused by the bite or sting. Take cilantro juice as soon as possible after any insect bite or sting. Blend a handful of cilantro with 1/4 cup water then strain it. Drink 2 tsp of the juice 3 times a day. Use the remaining pulp to apply to the infected area topically.
Coconut Ash – Coconut is a source of natural antihistamines and steroids, properties which explain this fascinating remedy. Take a stick of dried coconut and light one end on fire. Let it burn for ~1/2 inch then blow it out. Watch it melt like wax and leave a tarry black residue once the smoke is gone. Apply the residue to the bite for instant relief.
Neem Oil or Paste – Neem is a viable antidote to most insect venoms, it contains natural chemical compounds which repel insects. Apply neem oil or paste to the skin and leave it for 10-20 minutes before rinsing it off. For neem paste, mix a little neem powder with a little water. For neem oil, find an herbalized oil made by boiling neem leaves in a sesame oil base, not a neem extract or essential oil. We recommend this neem oil designed by Dr Lad or making your own if you’re up for the adventure. Neem oil is also great to use regularly for soothing and giving radiance to the skin, especially during the summer.
Sandalwood Turmeric paste – Mix 1/2 tsp sandalwood and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder with a little water to make a paste and apply locally to the affected skin.
Prevention – Rub neem oil (not essential oil) onto exposed skin before going on your outdoor adventure to hinder insect bites and stings.
Burns
All burns aggravate pitta, the dosha of fire, and the best way to treat common household burns is to apply cold followed by a medication of herbal paste or bitter ghee (tikta ghrita). These remedy suggestions are intended for burns from an iron or touching a hot pan, not serious burns.
Cilantro – the same preparations used for the juice and pulp of cilantro for stings and bites will be beneficial to burns as well. See procedure above.
Sandalwood Turmeric Paste – This paste uses aloe vera to soothe and heal inflammation from burns. Mix 1/4 tsp sandalwood, 1/4 tsp turmeric, and 1 TBsp aloe vera then apply this paste topically.
Bitter Ghee (tikta ghrita) – Bitter Ghee is an excellent medicine for aiding in pitta disorders and removing excess heat from the body. Bitter herbs such as neem, guduchi, kutki and kalmegha are infused into ghee to make tikta ghrita. Apply bitter ghee after icing the wound, once the burning sensation stops. In addition to aiding with healing burns, bitter ghee is also effective for other pitta disorders such as eczema, rashes, and excess heat in the blood and liver. Bitter ghee is great for cooling the skin when used topically or internally and detoxifying the liver and blood when taken internally. Here is a good resource for tikta ghrita is you are in need of an anti-inflammatory aid for pitta related disorders.
References
The Health Benefits and Uses of Tikta Ghrita, Svastha Ayurveda, June 2019.
Lad, Vasant. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1998. Print.
Published 6/13/2025
Article by Kaylee Vinson
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