Lettuce: Quarter the head of lettuce and boil (moderate) in a pot of water for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, cover pot and allow to steep. Strain water and chill. Spritz lettuce water directly on area. Can also chill cooked leaves and apply directly.

Cabbage: Same procedure as Lettuce.

Mint: Handful of fresh mint and proceed as above.

Plantain: Handful of fresh mint and proceed as above.

Strawberry Leaves: Save strawberry leaves and trimmings until you have a generous handful. Boil in 2 cups of water and proceed as above.

Plantain is excellent for soothing bites and stings of all sorts.  Simply find a leaf, chew it up (or otherwise mash it to release the juices), and apply it to the affected area.  Alternatively, you can infuse the leaves in oil and use the oil for treating larger areas, or make it into a salve for portability.  I used fresh plantain leaf on my yellowjacket sting, and I’ve used the infused oil on my backside when it got covered in mosquito bites.  I keep a small container of the salve in my purse.

Make a paste of baking soda and water. It will draw out the poison and take away the pain.
Witch Hazel and Baking soda - Baking soda can also work in conjunction with other remedies. This plant-based astringent, when applied in a paste with baking soda, will draw fluid out and reduce swelling at the bite. There's a synergy, they work even better together.

Onion poultice – the pain is gone the minute it touches the sting area.
To make an onion poultice, chop your onion finely and cook with a little water until tender (not brown).  Wrap warm onion in cheesecloth, medical wrap or flour sack towel and apply to affected area.

Cherry juice (and vanilla) drink

I have made cherry juice a regular part of my morning and nighttime routines since the first time I tasted it. To make it even better, it is one the easiest sleep tonics you can concoct!

Why tart cherry juice: Tart cherries are incredibly rich in melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycles, so indulging in a glass of the tart but sweet ruby red liquid every morning and night will help you keep your sleep schedule on track.
Why vanilla (optional): Vanilla has a soothing scent, and adding a drop of extract to your cherry juice can provide aromatherapy benefits that will help you doze off.

You will need…

-5-8 ounces of tart cherry juice
-A drop or 2 of vanilla extract

Directions

In the morning pour yourself about 5-8 ounces of tart cherry juice and drink it in its entirety. At night 1 hour to half an hour before bed repeat, adding a drop or 2 of vanilla if you desire. I would suggest sticking to using the vanilla only at night, since you don’t want to get too relaxed first thing in the morning!

Fresh Chamomile-lavender tea

This tea combines two of the most relaxing herbs known to promote rest and a sense of calm-lavender and chamomile.

Why chamomile: It’s not exactly pinpointed just what in chamomile gives it its sedative effects, but some research has tentatively shown that a constituent in chamomile called apigenin can bind to GABA receptors in the brain, creating a mild response similar to anti-anxiety medication, such as Xanax, does. GABA is the second most common amino acid in the body and plays a huge role in our central nervous system, calming us down and, of course, helping us relax into sleep.

Why lavender: Lavender is a scent that has been used to relax and unwind for centuries. Recently a study showed that people exposed to its odor had a change in brainwaves patterns, suggesting that it did indeed induce drowsiness.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon of lavender
-1 teaspoon of chamomile tea
-8 ounces of hot water
-honey to taste (optional)

Directions

Bring 8 ounces of water to a boil. In a teaball or loose-leaf tea strainer, place 1 teaspoon each of lavender and chamomile herbs. Put the straining device in your cup and pour the boiling water over it. Allow the herbs to steep for 10-15 minutes-the longer it steeps the stronger the flavor will be. Add honey to taste. If you don’t have a teaball or something similar, simply pour the hot water directly over the herbs in a bowl and then use a kitchen herb strainer to remove the herbs.

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Warm milky drink

This tasty combination of warm milk, honey, and a sprinkling of nutmeg is your ticket into Snoozefest.

Why warm milk: The idea that warm milk helps you fall asleep didn’t come from nowhere, as people over the centuries could tell you it really does work, but not for the modern day reason that states it makes you sleepy because of tryptophan. Conclusive studies have been done that show milk does not raise tryptophan levels, but it can raise your internal body temperature when it’s heated, which will relax you and make you sleepy and calm. Add to this the most powerful effect of all, the placebo effect. Warm milk seems to do something psychologically that makes us calm and drowsy. Perhaps it makes us harken back to our days of infancy, and therefore makes the drinker “sleep like a baby.” Either way you look at it, there’s something about it that makes falling asleep a breeze.

Why honey: L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid vital to our rest. It is the precursor to serotonin, which can be converted into melatonin, and melatonin is what regulates our sleep-wake cycles. Honey creates a spike in insulin, which drives tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier. It is then converted into serotonin, which in darkness is converted in to melatonin in the pineal gland in our brain. The result is that as nighttime approaches, you have more melatonin to tell your body “ok, it’s time to sleep now.”

Why nutmeg: Nutmeg is a pretty powerful spice-so much so that it’s very possible to “overdose” and end up getting looped out, feeling incredibly ill, hallucinating, and experiencing a myriad of other unpleasant side effects. Ingested safely though it is a good natural sleep-aid, thanks to numerous chemical components that act similar to tranquilizers-just stick to a quarter teaspoon or less.

You will need…

-1 glass of milk
-2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of honey
-1/8 teaspoon to a 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Directions

Warm up about 8 ounces of milk in your favorite mug. Heat it until it’s a little hotter than you would comfortably drink, and stir in 1 tablespoon of honey (or as little as 2 teaspoons if you prefer.) Sprinkle with a ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg at the most, and let it cool to a temperature that is still nice and toasty warm but drinkable. Make this about 30 minutes before bed when you start winding down, sip slowly, and enjoy!