Summer brings sunshine, outdoor fun, and unfortunately…bug bites. Whether you’re camping, gardening, or cheering at a ball game, itchy, irritated skin can sneak up fast. Luckily, nature offers gentle, effective ways to soothe bites and support your skin’s healing — and SweetGrass Trading Company carries everything you need.
Below are some of our favorite Indigenous-made products to naturally relieve bug bites and care for your skin all summer long.
Ioway Bee Farm Raw Honey
Owned and operated by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Ioway Bee Farm produces 100% pure, natural honey straight from the heart of the Midwest. Their bees thrive in Northeast Kansas, Southeast Nebraska, and Northwest Missouri, gathering nectar from sweet clover, wildflowers, and native trees. Raw honey is more than a sweet treat — it’s a traditional healing remedy. With natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it can be applied directly to bug bites, scrapes, and other minor skin irritations to reduce itching and swelling.
How to use it: Dab a small amount of raw honey directly onto clean skin. Cover lightly with a bandage if needed and reapply as necessary.
Ioway Bee Farm Lotion Bars
These solid lotion bars come in compact tins — perfect for tossing in your bag or keeping in the car. Made by the same Iowa Tribe–owned farm, these bars combine nourishing oils and natural beeswax and honey to create a soothing, skin-softening balm. The rich formula creates a protective layer that locks in moisture and helps calm irritated skin. It’s great for dry patches, itchy spots, or areas that need extra TLC after a bite.
How to use it: Warm the bar between your hands or rub directly onto the skin, then massage gently. It’s excellent for bug bites, sun-dried hands, elbows, or any spot that needs healing moisture.
Sakari Farms Grandmother’s Salve
Made with love and intention, this powerful salve is created from locally grown Yarrow, Comfrey, Sweetgrass, and Pinon Pine, harvested in partnership with the Navajo Nation. It’s an all-purpose herbal remedy that smells earthy and grounding — and works beautifully on everything from dry skin to minor wounds.
Each ingredient plays a healing role for insect bites:
- Yarrow helps reduce inflammation
- Comfrey supports tissue repair
- Sweetgrass soothes and calms
- Pinon Pine is antimicrobial and draws out impurities
How to use it: Apply liberally to bug bites, scrapes, burns, splinters, or calloused hands. It can also double as a chest rub or daily moisturizer.
Tribal Tea Co. Hibiscus Peppermint Tea
Sometimes, soothing bug bites means calming your whole body — and a cup of cooling tea can help from the inside out. Tribal Tea Co. offers a refreshing loose-leaf blend of hibiscus, peppermint, and stevia — the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and minty.
Why it works in your bug bite care routine:
- Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation
- Peppermint is cooling and calming
- Stevia leaf adds natural sweetness without sugar
How to use it: Brew a cup hot or chill it for a refreshing iced tea. It’s a relaxing way to hydrate and beat the heat while your skin heals.