Summer, sun, outings into nature. How to get rid of mosquitoes in the house or protect yourself from them on vacation is a question that remains relevant today. Great discomfort is caused to a person not only by the unpleasant squeak of annoying insects, but also by their bites, accompanied by suction of the victim’s blood. The result is redness and swelling of the affected area, severe itching. An old folk remedy, Zvezdochka mosquito repellent balm, will help in such a situation.
Contraindications to the use of star balm
All components of the star balm have a pronounced and active effect.
These are substances that irritate receptors, some of them are also allergens. Therefore, individual intolerance to the drug can often develop. If you once notice excessive redness and burning, nausea, dizziness, similar unpleasant reactions and worsening symptoms of the underlying disease, stop using the balm in the future. In light of this information, star balm is not recommended for allergy sufferers. Their body is more likely to succumb to the irritating effects of essential oils or camphor.
Star balm should be used with caution in children and pregnant women. Children under 5 years of age are better treated by any other means.
As for older babies and expectant mothers, it is better to consult with your doctor about the advisability of using the star, and if there is the slightest abnormal reaction of the body, refuse the balm.
For allergy sufferers, pregnant women, and children, it is wise to test for susceptibility to asterisk balm. To do this, apply and rub a small amount of the drug onto the chest or leg, or best of all, onto the back of the arm. If the next day no red spots appear at the site of rubbing, then you can safely begin treatment.
There are no other contraindications to the use of asterisk balm, but it is even better to avoid it if there are pustular skin diseases or open lesions (wounds, scratches). Despite the fact that asterisk is an antiseptic and its individual components promote tissue regeneration, the drug nevertheless has an irritating effect on receptors, which can aggravate painful symptoms.
Under no circumstances should the balm be applied to the eyes or other mucous membranes of your body!
Some forms of the balm can be used for inhalation, but you should not lubricate the mucous membranes with it and, in particular, apply it to intimate areas of the body. If you have a runny nose, lubricate the star only on the outer part of the nose, wings of the nose, nostrils, but do not apply the star inside, on the mucous membranes.
It is strictly forbidden to take star balm internally, either pure or diluted.
When you should absolutely not use star balm to treat children
Like any medicine, asterisk also cannot be suitable absolutely always and for everyone. It has already been said above that this drug is not suitable for very young children (under 2 years of age), as well as children who have an allergy or individual intolerance to one or more components of the drug.
In addition, it is strictly forbidden to use an asterisk to treat children suffering from bronchial asthma, whooping cough, and some skin diseases.
Star balm – composition
Zinkevych/Getty Images Pro If you walk through the markets of Vietnam, you can see an incredible amount of star balm, in various packages. But on the territory of Russia the same balm “Golden Star”
(this is the name of the version of this product registered for import into our country) is sold in the form of an ointment, balm (oily liquid) and an inhalation stick.
If we talk about the ingredients that make up the star balm, the most important are aromatic oils. In fact, in many cases the healing effect
is provided for the aromatic effects of these oils, although in some cases the healing effect is achieved solely through direct contact with the skin. What oils are included in the star balm?
Eucalyptus oil
Peppermint oil is included in the solution of all three types of Vietnamese balsam. This ingredient also has an antiseptic stimulation, however, the mint oil in the Golden Star balm has more functions than the eucalyptus
. In particular, mint oil is a good antispasmodic that can worsen capillary blood flow, regulate intestinal motility, and stimulate appetite.
The above prospects for impact appear when using the balm as an aromatic agent.
. Again, peppermint oil has another effect - sedation. In particular, this is why the Golden Star balm is used as a kind of sleeping pill.
Clove technical oil
Clove oil is also a constant ingredient in the Golden Star balm in all its types and designs. Healing properties of cloves
were known again in ancient India and China. Initially, it was used as a spice, and also as an antiseptic - in particular, in dental treatment.
Menthol
Wotan is also an invariable component of Vietnamese balm - crystalline menthol. In medicine, this phenylone is used not only as an antiseptic, but also as a local anesthetic
. Menthol oleonide alone is recommended for the treatment of runny nose and colds.
Cinnamon grease
Cinnamon oil is a rather controversial product that should not be used except in moderation, as it causes skin irritation when applied topically. Yes, at minimum concentration
cinnamon oil in combination with some other components, the current ingredient turns out to be very useful for treating fungal diseases.
Apple tree oil is also a component of some cosmetic products (particularly perfumes). Due to its properties, cinnamon oil stimulates blood flow
, therefore it is productive to use it for colds, hypothermia, and the treatment of some viral and infectious diseases.
Terpene
Camphor, as a medicine, is a common component of various medicinal ointments, so you can easily find independent use for what you have. pharmachologic effect
This substance is to act on the nerve endings of our skin, which helps stimulate blood circulation and improve tissue tone.
The terpene is often used as a local anesthetic. This substance is also a good antiseptic. A comprehensive set of properties of camphor determine its frequent use in aromatherapy.
, this component can often be found in various essential oils.
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Petrolatum
The use of this thick, odorless substance as a component of Vietnamese balm is understandable - it is an excellent thickener and lubricant.
. Petrolatum also has a softening effect and even promotes skin healing, which is why it is often used for tattooing.
The largest share in the composition of the star balm is crystalline menthol (for example, in the Golden Star pencil - up to 50 percent), pinol, petroleum jelly and mint oil. The share of eucalyptus oil is also quite noticeable
. And you see, the proportion of clove and cinnamon oils is very insignificant (literally a couple of percent).
In principle, all the components that make up the composition of the “Golden Star of the First Magnitude” balm. Individual samples may include additional ingredients
(for example, petroleum product, beeswax, lanonin). Each of the components has been proven to have a positive pharmacological reaction, which determines the usefulness of the “Golden Star” balm, which we will talk about in a moment.
Properties of star balm and indications for its use
Star balm is effective against many diseases. It treats and prevents the worsening of symptoms. Among the indications for use of the asterisk balm are the following:
- respiratory diseases: runny nose and rhinitis,
- sinusitis, sinusitis,
- colds, ARVI, flu,
- bronchial asthma;
- jams,
- cervical osteochondrosis,
- nausea,
- toothaches,
- phobias,
Star balm is defined as a local irritant that stimulates sensitive nerve endings, which provides a distracting, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The use of star balm is mainly external:
- inhalations - an inhalation pencil is inhaled 10-15 times a day into each nasal passage, 1-2 breaths at a time;
- rubbing – the area of the temples and the back of the head for headaches; area of the chest, back, abdomen for colds; near the nostrils with a runny nose; to the bite site for insect bites;
- acupuncture (acupressure).
Balm for external use: a small amount of the drug is applied to individual areas and rubbed into the skin:
Regular use of the balm:
- activates blood circulation,
- cleanses the walls of blood vessels, makes them more elastic,
- effectively breaks down accumulated harmful substances, removes toxins from the body and blood vessels,
- prevents the risk of various cardiovascular diseases.
Balm Zvezdochka composition. Composition and properties of balm “Zvezdochka”
Balm “Zvezdochka” is a herbal remedy that has a wide spectrum of action.
The famous Vietnamese balm “Star”, the composition of which includes effective oils of natural origin, has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effect. It is caused by local irritation of sensitive nerve endings, which is caused by the composition of the product. A kind of distracting effect is obtained, and pain, discomfort and itching (in the presence of insect bites) gradually disappear.
The antiseptic properties of the oils in the balm work great as inhalations. Volatile substances enter the area of inflammation and quickly eliminate it, soften the mucous membranes and reduce their swelling.
The basic composition of all products from the “Golden Star” series contains the following components:
This is the basic composition; the ointment additionally includes the following components:
These auxiliary, additional substances serve to increase the plasticity and thickness of the product and to ensure that it remains on the surface of the skin longer.
We can assume that the composition of the product is completely natural, so it can cause allergic reactions, which requires a preliminary test when using the drug for the first time.
Release form, shelf life and storage
The drug has different release forms
Balm “Golden Star” is not only the usual ointment in a small red “puck” with a characteristic pungent aroma. In the homeland of the product, in Vietnam, several different types of products are produced under this name: the ointment itself, a liquid balm, a special pencil intended for inhalation, a patch with a cooling effect, syrup, nasal drops, a patch, a nasal spray.
Three varieties of such balms have been officially registered in the Russian Federation - liquid, in the form of a classic ointment in a tin jar, and an inhalation pencil.
The ointment is packaged in small tin boxes, which easily heat up in the sun, and the composition of the drug melts and can “leak”. You should also try to keep it away from children's eyes, because they perceive the small colorful packaging as a toy and can accidentally get the ointment into their eyes or mucous membranes, causing an allergic reaction and simply unpleasant sensations. In a child under 2 years of age, inhalation of intense vapors of the substance can cause spasm of the respiratory tract and even respiratory arrest.
If the product gets into the eyes, it has a strong irritant effect, after which the baby’s tears literally roll down and he will scream and cry in pain. In some cases, it is necessary to seek medical help.
Mosquito repellents from your home medicine cabinet: camphor and “Zvezdochka”
If you have camphor preparations in your home medicine cabinet, they can also do a good job in repelling insects. Any camphor-containing product for external use can be rubbed little by little into the skin behind the ears or lubricated on the wrists. And to drive mosquitoes out of the house, you can boil water in a small saucepan, add a few drops of the product to it and boil for several minutes - the fragrant camphor steam will force the insects to leave the room.
Another excellent mosquito repellent is Vietnamese Golden Star Balm, commonly known as Star. It contains clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and peppermint oils, and this “cocktail”, applied precisely to the skin in small quantities, quite effectively protects against mosquitoes. However, it should not be used by allergy sufferers, and “Zvezdochka” is not recommended for children under five years of age.
Features of using an asterisk during pregnancy
Pregnancy, during which a woman suffers from a runny nose, cannot become an obstacle to using asterisk, since the drug is characterized by high safety and natural ingredients, which means that, theoretically, it cannot harm the unborn baby. However, if a pregnant woman’s body is prone to allergic reactions, then it is better to avoid using the star.
Acupuncture points are smeared with an asterisk so that the balm does not get on the baby’s skin, after which hands are thoroughly washed with soap. Since the skin of newborn babies is very sensitive, even the slightest amount of balm can cause serious irritation to the baby's skin.
Using an asterisk to treat insect bites
Children's delicate skin reacts very painfully to insect bites. In addition to acute pain, severe itching, burning, redness, and increased local temperature appear. Star balm repels blood-sucking insects very well. Therefore, in the summer, you can use it for preventive purposes. To do this, apply a very small amount to the surface of the child's skin in several places, for example, before going for a walk. This will prevent bites. And the child will not suffer from unbearable itching.
If bites have already appeared, then you can lubricate the skin in these places with a thin layer of asterisk. The irritating effect of the balm will cause increased blood flow, and relief will come quite quickly, within a few minutes. Using a star will have a good effect even when the child has been stung by a bee or wasp. In this case, you should immediately remove the sting and lubricate the affected area with balm. And it will certainly bring relief.
In a word, star balm is a wonderful remedy for treating adults and children, if used correctly.
Balm Zvezdochka application. Useful properties of balm “Zvezdochka”.
Until recently, this universal ointment was in almost every home! Do you know what it is and what its benefits are? This is an ointment that mainly consists of essential oils.
Why is “Zvezdochka” (or “golden star”, as its name sounds in full) loved? Because of the aroma and the cooling feeling it gives. Its use in large quantities leads to the desired effects, but an overdose and, as a result, an allergic reaction can often occur.
Now “Zvezdochka” has already lost its former incredible prevalence and popularity, although it continues to be used.
How is “Star” used?
It is believed that “Star” helps with a runny nose (the strong and bright aroma instantly relieves nasal congestion) and some types of pain.
“Asterisk” is often used to relieve itching caused by mosquito bites. Thanks to the cooling effect, the itching actually goes away for 15-20 minutes, then it may appear again.
* for a runny nose, apply ointment under the nose, smear the wings of the nose or do inhalation (dissolve a little ointment in boiling water, bow your head over it, covering it with a towel, and breathe; another option is to use a special inhaler.
* for headaches, rub the temples, brow ridges, and the area above the upper lip. Be careful: if you apply the balm with your fingers, do not rub your eyes with them under any circumstances, but rather wash your hands thoroughly immediately after applying the balm.
* for colds, the ointment is often rubbed into the abdomen, chest, and back.
* for pain in muscles and joints, rub the balm into the disturbing areas.
* for seasickness, it is useful to rub the balm into the back of the head and temples.
* “Star” will also help with depression - by rubbing the balm into your temples, eyebrows and the back of your head, you will sleep better and restore spiritual harmony. Or you can do aromatherapy - a little balm (smaller than the head of a pin) should be placed in an aroma lamp, filled with water and lit a candle.
Note!
* using the “Star”, make sure that it does not get on mucous membranes, open wounds, or pustular skin diseases. If this does happen, immediately rinse the affected area with plenty of water.
* due to the use of “Asterisk”, adverse reactions and allergies may occur. If you feel something is wrong, wash off the ointment and do not use it again.
* can everyone use this balm? No, not everyone. Any drug has contraindications, including Zvezdochka. Namely, increased sensitivity to its components.
* children under 2 years old are prohibited from using the balm.
Asterisk and pregnancy.
Pregnant women like to resort to this ointment, mainly because of its naturalness. At first glance, this is an ideal remedy during pregnancy, saving the body from many troubles at a time when it cannot be stuffed with all kinds of pills. But is it? And even though many people advise using it, it is not so safe. This is also stated in the instructions for the balm. Why?
The main contraindication of “Zvezdochka” is hypersensitivity to the components. And pregnant women experience this same increased sensitivity – to many foods, smells, and medications. Therefore, even if you have never had allergic attacks, in the new period of your life you are not immune from them. After all, the balm contains various oils: eucalyptus, clove, cinnamon, petroleum jelly, mint, etc. Each of them can cause allergies.
Thus, if you are not pregnant, then remember that compared to many medications, “Zvezdochka” is the lesser of two evils, but you should not abuse it. And first, you definitely need to conduct a sensitivity test by rubbing a little ointment into the back of your wrist and observing for 24 hours to see if any redness appears. And under no circumstances apply too much balm - you may get burned. Everything in moderation is the best wisdom!
Spicy cloves against mosquitoes
A proven and very effective folk remedy for mosquito bites is cloves, a popular spice. The specific smell of clove tree buds is pleasant to humans, but insects cannot tolerate it.
Pour a tablespoon of cloves into a glass of cold water, bring to a boil over low heat, wait until it cools and strain. Apply clove decoction to exposed skin with a cotton swab; you can also spray it on your clothes. This will provide you with protection for several hours.
Cloves can also be used to replace a fumigator or anti-mosquito coil. Cut the lemon into thick slices and stick clove buds into them. The citrusy-spicy scent is usually associated with Christmas spirit, but also works great as an insect repellent. Place the resulting composition next to the bed or table on the veranda - and insects will not bother you.
How to use correctly: features of treatment for cough and runny nose
A cold is always accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, cough and sore throat. The Vietnamese “star” fights well against these manifestations. Most often, consumers use ointment and pencil. This is justified by the ease of storage and use. We recommend that you read about what to do if your ear is blocked due to a runny nose in this material.
A small amount of the contents of the jar should be applied to the chest area, gently massaging the skin. It is also effective to rub it a little (until a feeling of warmth) on your back between the shoulder blades and at the base of the neck.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=l0gyezjLZJo
The beneficial properties of raspberries for colds are described in detail in this article.
After a couple of minutes, the patient will feel warmth and even a slight burning sensation at the application sites. When essential oils evaporate, they make breathing easier. The procedure will be effective if you lie down in bed and cover yourself with a warm blanket.
An inhalation pencil is effective and convenient for a runny nose. It can be used up to 15 times a day. Application is simple: insert a pencil into the nasal passage (one at a time) and calmly inhale 1-2 times.
Find out if raspberry jam helps with colds by following the link provided.
A cold is often accompanied by a headache. And here, too, an invariable assistant is the “star” balm.
For a cold, inhalation with a “star” is an effective method of treatment: in water brought to a boil (1 liter), you need to stir 1 tablespoon of salt and throw in a little Thai balsam (a sufficient amount is about the size of a cherry pit). Lean over the steam, covering your head with a towel, close your eyes and breathe for 10 minutes.
Why your ears get blocked when you have a cold, and what treatment should be used first is indicated in the article.
There is no such person who does not suffer from colds at least once a year. A respiratory infection of viral-bacterial origin occurs with a runny nose and sneezing, sore throat or cough.
But among these remedies on the pharmacy shelf there is always a medicine that has become traditional for several generations. This is Zvezdochka for a runny nose, a balm in the form of a thick ointment or in a more liquid form. Knowledgeable people who are attentive to their health and the well-being of their loved ones purchase this particular medicine for rhinitis.
Golden Star or simply Zvezdochka has been used for a runny nose for a long time, but in recent years this medicine has become undeservedly forgotten.
But it is highly safe and effective, which makes the drug an excellent assistant in the fight against rhinitis, sinusitis and other similar diseases.
With sinusitis, a pronounced inflammatory process is observed in the mucous membrane of the maxillary paranasal sinuses (sinuses).
Since they are located near the meninges, treatment of the pathology must be carried out by an otolaryngologist, especially if it is required for a child.
The balm, like the Zvezdochka spray, can be used to combat this disease. The method of their use is the same as described above. Rubbing the chest at night helps especially well with sinusitis.
This helps to facilitate nasal breathing during sleep, normalize the outflow of contents from inflamed sinuses and eliminate headaches.
But if rubbing is allowed without prior consultation with an ENT specialist, then whether it is possible to smear the nose with an asterisk must be agreed with the doctor, since this procedure is one of the warming ones.
Sometimes you can find recommendations to apply a thin layer of balm to the mucous membranes of the nose. This is strictly forbidden, as this will lead to tissue burns and will bring absolutely no benefit. It is also impossible to use Zvezdochka NOZ spray for sinusitis for more than 5–7 days, despite the traditionally long course of the pathology.
To eliminate swelling, it is recommended to alternate drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect, that is, first use xylometazoline-based products, then naphazoline or oxymetazoline.
It's cheap and works well. I think the only drawback of the medicine is that sometimes difficulties arise in how to open a jar of Zvezdochka balm. Katya, 31 years old
It is small so it is easy to carry. And during the cold season, I regularly smear Zvezda ointment under my nose, it protects me from viruses and helps me almost never get sick. Diana, 29 years old
Baby cream and vanillin
The first remedy is a mixture of “Baby cream” and vanillin. I used the most ordinary cream, vanillin too - but the effect of this mixture was pleasantly surprising. But first things first.
Baby cream and vanillin
Initially, this method seemed to me one of the most controversial: I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that vanillin could repel mosquitoes. It turned out that it can! I squeezed half the tube into a previously prepared container and poured in a bag of vanillin and mixed everything.
The mosquitoes didn’t even try to land on my hands, which I smeared with the mixture, either because of the smell of vanillin, or because of the viscous consistency of the cream. By the way, the latter, in my understanding, became a big minus. I was sticky all day, all sorts of debris stuck to my hands. The feeling is not pleasant. But it really repelled mosquitoes. So overall I can say that the product works. As an alternative, you can try diluting vanillin in water (0.33 ml sachet per bottle). This liquid should be sprayed onto exposed areas of the body and clothing. The method also turned out to be effective, but the smell of vanillin quickly disappears, and mosquitoes begin to bite. The cream lasts longer.
People! I read on the Internet about folk remedies for mosquito control... The simplest thing is to use Vietnamese balm Zvezdochka. Has anyone used it on children under one year old? If you don’t have allergies, then it’s probably possible and how effective it is. I put my daughter to sleep on the balcony in the evening, cover her with a mosquito net, but she is still all bitten (her face)... We apply fenistil for the itching... But still, how to deal with these creatures, a fumigator yes, but the sockets are not always nearby... I read the information on the Internet.... About garlic, in my opinion, I’m going overboard, after all, we don’t live in the forest and communicate with people...:)...
Now let's look at traditional methods of protection against mosquitoes. Mosquitoes cannot stand the smell of fragrant herbs: basil, anise, mint, valerian, lavender, thyme, thyme, rosemary. They are used fresh and dried. Used as an infusion, moistening open areas of the body. A decoction of wheatgrass and wormwood roots is very effective. You can also take fresh wormwood by grinding the leaves into a paste. Fresh elderberry branches, flowers and leaves of bird cherry, lilac, walnut, chestnut, serviceberry, tomato leaves, orange, tangerine and lemon fruits, and parsnip seeds repel mosquitoes. These plants are most effective if they are crushed and spread around the room. Houseplants such as pelargonium (geranium) and common ivy can also repel mosquitoes. Essential oils can be used to control mosquitoes. The most effective oils are cedar, fir, mint, citronella, lavender, clove, thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, anise and geranium. Tea tree oil repels mosquitoes and relieves itchy bites. Any of these oils can be dropped onto a fire source - a fire, a candle, an aromatic lamp, or onto a piece of cotton wool and placed on the window. And if you add a few drops of essential oil to cologne, preferably “Clove,” you will get an effective mosquito repellent. No less effective is the balm “Golden Star” or, as it is more often called, “Star”. Ordinary vanillin, which housewives often use in the kitchen, repels mosquitoes and midges. A spice like cloves is also not to the taste of the mosquito family. If you rub yourself with garlic juice :046:, then mosquitoes will definitely fly around you. :046:
Allergy to mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are similar in appearance to chickenpox or bedbug wounds. The main reason why a person's stinging areas itch and blisters appear is the poison that gets under the skin with the saliva of this insect. It causes an allergic reaction in the body, so we want to scratch the puncture site.
What a mosquito bite looks like - photo:
Photo source: shutterstock.com
Mosquito bite: first aid
What to do if bitten by a mosquito? First aid after an unpleasant contact with an annoying insect involves cooling the injured area. To do this, you will need to apply an ice cube tightly wrapped in a bag and cloth to the area. Don't have any ice cubes on hand? Then, after a mosquito bite, you can apply frozen meat, fish or a bag of mixed vegetables wrapped in a towel to your body. After 5 minutes, the unpleasant symptoms will be less pronounced.
It is also worth treating the problem area with an antiseptic. To prevent the formation of lumps and inflammation, as well as to prevent swelling, you can smear the problem area with apple cider vinegar or 3% table vinegar.
