Australia’s great outdoors is a treasure trove of natural wonders, but as any seasoned bushwalker or backyard gardener knows, it’s also home to a fair share of biting and stinging critters.
Whether you’re enjoying a picnic in the park, tending to your veggie patch, or exploring the bush, an unexpected encounter with a wasp, ant, or bee can quickly turn a lovely day into a painful ordeal.
But what if we told you that a powerful, natural painkiller is growing right under your nose—found almost everywhere across the country?
That’s right! The humble ‘bracken fern’, a plant you’ve probably walked past countless times, has been hailed as a bush remedy for soothing the pain and itch of insect bites and stings.
Recently, outback adventurer Sam Down shared his experience with this remarkable plant, revealing how it can be a real lifesaver when you’re caught out in the wild (or even just in your backyard) without a first aid kit.
Sam, who’s used the bracken fern ‘probably 30 times’ for himself and friends, explained that the plant’s sap contains ‘aluminium sulphate’—the same active ingredient found in many commercial bug sting remedies.
So, how does it work? When you apply the sap to a sting or bite, the aluminium sulphate helps to ‘break down the proteins in insect venom’ through a process called ‘denaturing’. This makes the venom less effective, which in turn reduces pain and swelling.
Sam even recounted a time he was stung about 20 times after stepping on an ant nest, and the bracken fern sap brought him much-needed relief.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a new discovery. Indigenous Australians have known about the healing properties of bracken fern for thousands of years, using it for a variety of medicinal and practical purposes.
While some traditional uses include eating the plant after careful processing, experts warn that bracken fern can be toxic if not prepared correctly, and consuming large amounts has been linked to health risks.
So, it’s best to stick to external use for insect bites unless you have specialist knowledge.
If you find yourself in need of a quick remedy, here’s how you can use bracken fern safely for stings and bites:
1. Identify the plant: Bracken fern is widespread across Australia. It has large, triangular fronds and often grows in open bushland, along roadsides, and even in suburban gardens.
2. Uproot the plant: Grab the stem near the base and gently pull it out of the ground.
3. Clean the root: Rinse the root in water or rub off any dirt with your hands.
4. Access the sap: Snap the lower, brown part of the root to reveal strands covered in sap.
5. Apply the sap: Rub the sap directly onto the affected area for relief.
Learning about native plants like bracken fern isn’t just interesting—it can be genuinely useful, especially for those of us who love spending time outdoors.
Have you ever used bracken fern or another natural remedy for bites and stings? Do you have any tips or stories to share about bush medicine or first aid? Let us know in the comments below—your experience could help a fellow member next time they’re caught out by a pesky insect!
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