05/28/2026
Summer Herbalist Tips: Ticks, Trails & Tiny Little Jerks!
If you spend any time outside in the South, congratulations, the ticks have already noticed you.
A few practical ways to reduce your chances of bringing home an unwanted passenger this summer:
• Wear light colored clothing when possible, it makes them easier to see
• Tuck pants into socks in tall grass or woods
• Shower after hiking, gardening, or yard work
• Check behind knees, waistbands, scalp, armpits, and around sock lines
• Don’t forget pets. They are basically tick taxis.
If You Find a Tick:
Use fine tipped tweezers and pull upward slowly and steadily as close to the skin as possible.
Please do not:
• burn it
• drown it in oil
• smother it in Vaseline
• perform an exorcism, which is my gut reaction tbh
It's gross, but they vomit under your skin, which transmits bacteria and pathogens into your bloodstream, causing tick-borne illnessess, and it usually happens when they are stressed by improper removal techniques. So don't encourage that. Just remove it carefully, clean the area well, and wash your hands.
It’s also smart to save the tick in a sealed bag, under a piece of tape on white paper, in jar, or take a clear photo in case symptoms appear later.
After a Tick Bite:
Not every tick bite leads to illness, and panic helps absolutely nobody. But supporting the body early is never a bad idea.
Some commonly used herbs and nutrients people often turn to for general immune and inflammatory support after a bite include:
• Japanese Knotweed
• Astragalus
• Cat’s Claw
• Andrographis
• Garlic
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Quercetin
Many people also focus on:
• rest
• hydration
• mineral rich foods
• reducing inflammation
• paying attention to symptoms instead of ignoring them for three weeks while saying “I’m probably just tired.”
Watch for:
• fever
• rash
• unusual fatigue
• headaches
• body aches
• joint pain
• flu-like symptoms
If symptoms develop, contact a healthcare professional promptly. I mean it, DON'T WAIT. Better safe than sorry has never been more relevant than in this situation. Early diagnosis is critical and drastically improves outcomes.
And finally:
Chickens and guineafowl remain one of the most effective anti tick technologies ever invented. Nature’s tiny velociraptors are out there doing the Lord’s work 🙏
