Bites and Stings: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies

Bites and Stings: The Ayurvedic Approach to Venom and Reaction

That sudden burning itch from a mosquito, the sharp pain of a bee sting, the swelling that won't go down — these are among the most universal human experiences. Almost everyone has felt the immediate heat and redness, the maddening urge to scratch, and the question: how do I make this stop?

Ayurveda has been studying and treating insect bites and stings for over 3,000 years. In classical Ayurvedic medicine, the entire field of toxicology — called Visha Chikitsa (visha = venom or poison, chikitsa = treatment) — is one of the eight recognized branches of Ayurvedic medicine. Ancient physicians understood that venom entering the skin was a distinct clinical event with specific herbal countermeasures.

The Ayurvedic Framework: What Happens When You're Bitten

When a bee stings, a mosquito bites, or a wasp attacks, it introduces Visha (venom or toxin) into the skin and bloodstream. Ayurveda explains the body's response through two primary doshas (biological forces):

• Pitta (fire + water principle): Governs inflammation, heat, and transformation. Visha immediately disturbs Pitta, producing the classic signs — burning, redness, heat, and intense itching. Pitta types (people with a naturally fiery constitution) tend to have stronger, more reactive responses.
• Kapha (earth + water principle): Governs structure and fluid. When Kapha is disturbed, swelling and edema develop — the puffy, fluid-filled reaction that can persist for days.

The goal of treatment, therefore, is twofold: cool and clear the Pitta reaction (reduce inflammation and burning) while draining the Kapha accumulation (reduce swelling and fluid retention).

A Classical Warning: Venom Can Persist

Classical Ayurvedic texts carry an important caution that modern medicine has independently confirmed: venom does not always clear quickly. If Visha remains in the body, it can cause delayed allergic reactions and, in serious cases, sting-bite nephritis — a condition involving generalized edema (swelling throughout the body) and breathlessness, indicating the kidneys are under stress from venom load.

This means a bite or sting that seems to improve but then returns with spreading swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing needs immediate medical attention — not just home treatment.

Bridging Ayurveda and Modern Medicine

Modern medicine recognizes a spectrum of bite/sting reactions:

• Local allergic reaction (most common): redness, swelling, itching at the site — corresponds to Pitta-Kapha disturbance
• Systemic allergic reaction: spreading rash, fever, multiple-site involvement — corresponds to Visha spreading through Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue)
• Anaphylaxis (rare but life-threatening): throat swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse — a systemic Tridoshic crisis requiring emergency epinephrine
• Cellulitis: secondary bacterial infection from scratching — corresponds to Ama (toxin) accumulation at the wound site

Ayurvedic remedies are well-suited for local and mild-to-moderate reactions. For anaphylaxis or serious systemic reactions, emergency medical care is non-negotiable. This page will help you understand which situation you're in.

How Bites and Stings Affect the Doshas

Not everyone reacts the same way to a bee sting or mosquito bite. One person gets a small red bump that fades in an hour; another develops a swollen welt that throbs for three days. Ayurveda explains this through individual Prakriti (constitutional type) and which dosha predominates in the reaction.

Pitta-Predominant Reaction (Most Common)

This is the classic bite reaction most people recognize. Pitta (fire principle) governs heat, inflammation, and the body's transformation processes.

Signs: Intense burning sensation, bright red color at the site, heat radiating from the area, sharp itching (almost painful), blistering in severe cases. The reaction tends to be quick and intense, then resolves relatively fast once Pitta is cooled.

Who gets this: People with a Pitta constitution — often medium build, warm skin, sharp intellect, tendency toward inflammation — react most strongly to bites. Their Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue) is already Pitta-charged, so venom amplifies an existing tendency.

Treatment priority: Cooling herbs — sandalwood, coriander, aloe — to immediately bring down the fire response.

Kapha-Predominant Reaction

Kapha (earth + water principle) governs structure, fluid, and cohesion. When Kapha is disturbed by venom, fluid accumulates at the site.

Signs: Large, puffy swelling that feels soft and cool to the touch. Less burning, more heaviness and pressure. The swelling is slow to develop but also slow to resolve — it can persist for 3–5 days. Itching is mild but persistent, often described as deep rather than surface-level.

Who gets this: Kapha-dominant individuals (typically heavier build, cool moist skin, calm temperament) and older adults whose circulation is slower. Multiple bee stings or stings in fatty tissue often produce this pattern in anyone.

Treatment priority: Diuretic and lymph-moving herbs — coriander (Dhanyaka), neem — to drain fluid and clear venom through the kidneys.

Vata-Predominant Reaction (Secondary)

Vata (air + space principle) governs movement and the nervous system. Vata disturbance rarely appears as the primary bite reaction, but often accompanies it — especially in Vata-dominant individuals or in the case of a frightening bite (snake, large spider, or mass stinging event).

Signs: Anxiety, restlessness, rapid heart rate, trembling (often from fear or pain, not just venom). The skin reaction may be dry and peeling rather than moist. Insomnia following the event. In children, inconsolable crying beyond what the injury warrants.

Treatment priority: Grounding, warming oil (sesame base), reassurance, and monitoring — plus the standard Pitta/Kapha treatment for the bite itself.

Ama and Immune Reactivity

Ayurveda identifies Ama — undigested metabolic waste that accumulates in the channels of the body — as a factor that amplifies the response to bites. When Ama burdens the blood (Rakta Dhatu), the immune system is already primed for inflammation. Venom acts as a trigger, producing a reaction disproportionate to the actual sting.

This is the Ayurvedic explanation for why people who eat a highly processed diet, have poor digestion, or are under chronic stress react more severely to insect bites. Seasonal cleansing (Panchakarma) and digestive support (Agni restoration) reduce baseline reactivity over time.

Assessing Your Bite or Sting Reaction

The most important skill with any bite or sting is knowing which category you're in — because the right action ranges from applying a kitchen-cabinet paste to calling an ambulance. Use this quick assessment table to orient yourself.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do I know what bit or stung me? Most common insect bites (mosquito, ant, wasp, bee, horsefly) are manageable at home. Unknown bites — especially if a wound appears without explanation, or if you were in an area with venomous spiders or snakes — require professional evaluation.

2. Where is the sting? A sting in the mouth, throat, or on the tongue is dangerous regardless of severity — seek emergency care immediately. Swelling in the throat can close the airway within minutes.

3. Is this getting better or worse? A mild local reaction should peak within 2–4 hours and begin improving. A reaction that continues to spread, increases in pain, or develops red streaks radiating outward is a sign of secondary infection (cellulitis) — needs antibiotic treatment.

4. Have I been stung before and reacted badly? Prior severe reactions dramatically increase anaphylaxis risk. If you've had a systemic reaction before, you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and seek care immediately after any sting, regardless of current symptoms.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Bites and Stings

These five herbs form the classical Ayurvedic toolkit for Visha Chikitsa (venom treatment) as applied to insect bites and stings. Most are used topically — applied directly to the skin — because the reaction is local. Some are also taken internally to support venom clearance through the kidneys and lymphatics.

Turmeric (Haridra) — Curcuma longa

Turmeric (Sanskrit: Haridra) is the most versatile herb for bites and stings. Its classical actions relevant here are Vishahara (destroys venom/toxin), Shothahara (reduces swelling), and Rakta-shodhana (blood purifier). It is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial — addressing the bite reaction and guarding against secondary infection simultaneously.

Turmeric paste applied topically to a fresh sting is the single most recommended action in classical texts and remains practical today. Taken internally (in warm milk or water), it supports systemic clearance of venom through the Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue).

Neem (Nimba) — Azadirachta indica

Neem (Sanskrit: Nimba) carries a triple action: Vishahara (anti-venom), antibacterial (Krimighna — destroys pathogens), and anti-inflammatory. In bite management, neem primarily prevents the bite wound from becoming infected — a real risk if you scratch, which most people do.

Neem oil applied topically (diluted 2–5% in coconut oil) also acts as a natural insect repellent, making it useful both for treatment and prevention. Classical formulations use neem leaf paste directly on the skin.

Sandalwood (Chandana) — Santalum album

Sandalwood (Sanskrit: Chandana) is the immediate cooling remedy in classical Ayurveda. Its key actions: Dahaghna (alleviates burning — daha = burning sensation), Kandughna (stops itching — kandu = itching), and Vishahara. The KG texts specifically recommend sandalwood paste applied directly to the bite as first aid.

Sandalwood is cooling, astringent, and anti-inflammatory. Sandalwood paste mixed with rosewater provides near-immediate relief from the burning, itching Pitta response — often within 5–10 minutes of application.

Coriander (Dhanyaka) — Coriandrum sativum

Coriander (Sanskrit: Dhanyaka) — the same herb whose leaves are called cilantro — is classically recognized as antiallergenic, Dahaghna (cooling), Vishahara, and diuretic (Mutravaha Srotas-cleanser). The diuretic action is particularly important: by increasing urine output, coriander helps the kidneys flush venom from the blood, preventing the delayed Kapha accumulation and risk of sting-bite nephritis.

Fresh cilantro juice (30–60ml) taken immediately after a bite is the KG-recommended internal first-aid remedy. It is also among the most accessible — cilantro is available in virtually every grocery store worldwide.

Coconut Oil + Sesame Oil (Carrier Bases)

Coconut oil is not just a carrier — its lauric acid content gives it genuine antimicrobial properties, making it preferable to petroleum-based creams as a mixing base. Sesame oil (Tila Taila) is the classical Vata-pacifying base, used when the bite reaction has a nervous-system component (anxiety, trembling, dry skin reaction).

Both oils carry the active compounds of turmeric and neem deeper into the skin, improving topical absorption.

Classical Applications for Bites and Stings

Ayurveda's strength in bite and sting treatment lies in its Lepa preparations — medicated pastes applied directly to the skin. These are not folk remedies but classical formulations described in texts like the Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam, in the chapters on Visha Chikitsa (toxicology treatment). Here are the most practical and accessible:

1. Sandalwood Paste — Immediate Cooling Application

The simplest and fastest Pitta-cooling application. This is the preparation specifically referenced in the classical KG texts as immediate first aid.

Preparation: Mix 1–2 teaspoons of sandalwood powder (Chandana churna) with enough rosewater or plain cold water to form a thick paste. Apply liberally to the bite or sting site. Leave on for 20–30 minutes or until dry. Reapply as needed.

Why it works: Sandalwood is Dahaghna (alleviates burning) and Kandughna (stops itching) — it addresses the two most immediately distressing symptoms of any Pitta-type sting reaction. The rosewater adds additional cooling (Rosa damascena is itself Pitta-pacifying).

2. Turmeric + Neem Paste — Antibacterial + Anti-inflammatory

The compound paste for bites that are inflamed, red, and at risk of secondary infection — especially when you've been scratching.

Preparation: 1 teaspoon turmeric powder + ½ teaspoon neem powder (or 5–6 fresh neem leaves, ground) + enough coconut oil to bind into a paste. Apply to the site 2–3 times daily. Note: turmeric will stain skin yellow temporarily — this is harmless.

3. Cilantro (Coriander Leaf) Juice — Internal Antiallergenic

The internal first-aid remedy. Fresh cilantro juice taken within the first hour of a bite or sting provides Vishahara action via the kidneys, helping to clear venom from the blood through increased urination.

Preparation: Blend a large handful of fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) with ½ cup water. Strain. Drink 30–60ml (2–4 tablespoons) of the juice. Repeat 2–3 times over the following day while symptoms persist.

Note: Cilantro juice is safe for most people and is the most globally available Ayurvedic first-aid option. If cilantro is unavailable, coriander seed tea (1 teaspoon seeds steeped in hot water, cooled) provides similar though milder action.

4. Coconut Oil + Turmeric — Soothing Base for Mild Reactions

For mild mosquito bites and minor reactions — the everyday formula.

Preparation: Mix ½ teaspoon turmeric into 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil. Apply to bites. This is gentle enough for children and for application to multiple mosquito bites over a large area.

5. Neem Capsules — Internal Vishahara Support

For moderate reactions, especially where the bite remains swollen and inflamed beyond 24 hours, oral neem supports systemic venom clearance.

Preparation: Standardized neem leaf capsules (500mg), 1–2 capsules twice daily with meals, for 3–5 days. Do not use during pregnancy.

6. Chandanasava — Classical Internal Cooling Preparation

Chandanasava is a classical Ayurvedic liquid preparation containing sandalwood as a primary ingredient, traditionally used for internal Pitta-cooling and conditions involving heat and toxicity in the blood. It is available from established Ayurvedic pharmacies (Dabur, Baidyanath, Kottakkal). Dosage: 15–30ml diluted in equal parts water, twice daily after meals. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before using for this purpose.

Diet After a Bite or Sting

What you eat in the 24–72 hours after a significant bite or sting can meaningfully affect how quickly the reaction resolves. Ayurveda explains this through the concept of food's Virya (potency — heating or cooling) and its effect on the already-disturbed Pitta dosha. Heating foods amplify the reaction; cooling foods help resolve it.

Foods to Favor (Pitta-Pacifying, Anti-Visha)

• Coconut water: Naturally cooling, Pitta-pacifying, and hydrating. Supports kidney function for venom clearance. Drink 1–2 glasses daily during the reaction period.
• Cucumber: Cooling and diuretic. Eat raw or as cucumber-mint water. Excellent for reducing systemic heat from a Pitta reaction.
• Coriander tea: 1 teaspoon coriander seeds steeped in hot water for 10 minutes, cooled and drunk. Gentle internal antiallergenic and diuretic — helps the kidneys clear venom metabolites. Drink 2–3 cups daily.
• Pomegranate juice: Astringent, cooling, Pitta-pacifying, and rich in antioxidants that support tissue repair. Fresh or unsweetened bottled.
• Fresh cilantro: Include liberally in meals — as a garnish, in salads, or blended into drinks. Internal Vishahara action continues throughout the day.
• Aloe vera juice: Internal use of aloe vera (available as supplements or diluted juice) provides additional cooling and tissue-healing support.
• Light, easily digested meals: Kitchari (rice and moong lentils), vegetable soups, steamed grains. When Agni (digestive fire) is disrupted by a systemic reaction, heavy food creates more Ama, amplifying inflammation.

Foods to Avoid During the Reaction Period

• Spicy foods: Chili, hot sauce, black pepper in large amounts, ginger in large doses — all are Pitta-aggravating and directly amplify the inflammatory reaction. Avoid until swelling and redness resolve.
• Alcohol: Causes vasodilation (blood vessel widening), which speeds the spread of venom through tissues. Even a small amount can significantly worsen a sting reaction. Avoid for at least 24–48 hours.
• Fermented and sour foods: Vinegar, tamarind, pickles, sour cream — sour taste increases Pitta. Minimize during active reaction.
• Fried and oily processed foods: Generate Ama (metabolic waste), impairing the body's ability to clear venom efficiently.
• Coffee and caffeine in excess: Mildly Pitta-aggravating; also mildly diuretic (which could help) but the heat effect outweighs the benefit during an acute reaction.

Hydration: The Mutravaha Srotas Connection

One of Ayurveda's key mechanisms for venom clearance is the Mutravaha Srotas — the urinary channels. Staying well-hydrated supports the kidneys in filtering and excreting venom metabolites from the blood. This is precisely why diuretic herbs like coriander and neem are used: they accelerate renal clearance.

Aim for 8–10 glasses of water or cooling drinks (coconut water, cucumber water, coriander tea) daily during the 2–3 days following a significant sting reaction.

Long-Term Prevention: Reducing Allergic Reactivity

Chronically Pitta-aggravated individuals are more reactive to all bites and stings. A consistently Pitta-pacifying diet — favoring cooling, lightly spiced, fresh foods over processed, fried, and highly spiced meals — reduces baseline reactivity over time. This is the dietary component of Visha prevention in Ayurveda.

Topical Protocols for Bites and Stings

Most of Ayurvedic treatment for insect bites is topical — applied directly to the skin. This is the Lepa (medicated paste) tradition of Ayurveda, which recognizes that local skin application can be faster and more targeted than systemic treatment for local reactions. Here is a step-by-step first-aid protocol.

Step-by-Step Immediate Response

Step 1: Remove the Stinger (Bee/Wasp)

If a bee stinger is visible in the skin, remove it as quickly as possible — the stinger sac continues injecting venom for up to 60 seconds after separation from the bee. Use a stiff card (credit card, fingernail) to scrape it sideways and out. Do not use tweezers — pinching squeezes the venom sac and injects more venom. Speed matters more than method.

Step 2: Apply Sandalwood Paste (Immediate Dahaghna)

Mix 1–2 teaspoons of sandalwood powder with rosewater or plain cold water to form a thick paste. Apply directly and generously to the sting or bite site. Sandalwood's Dahaghna (burning-alleviating) and Kandughna (itch-stopping) actions provide near-immediate relief from the most distressing Pitta symptoms. The coolness of the paste itself also helps, regardless of the herb's specific properties.

If sandalwood powder is not available, a cold aloe vera gel application is an excellent substitute for this step.

Step 3: Apply Turmeric + Coconut Oil Paste (Anti-inflammatory)

After the initial cooling step (once sandalwood paste has dried and been rinsed off, or 15–20 minutes after aloe), apply a turmeric paste for sustained anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action.

Mix 1 teaspoon turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil. Apply to the site and leave for 30–60 minutes. Repeat 2–3 times daily. This addresses the ongoing Shothahara (swelling reduction) need, not just the acute burning.

Step 4: Apply Diluted Neem Oil for Itching

For persistent itching — especially on days 2 and 3 when the urge to scratch is strongest — dilute neem oil 2–5% in coconut oil (about ½ teaspoon neem oil in 2 tablespoons coconut oil) and apply to the affected area. Neem's Krimighna (pathogen-destroying) action also guards against secondary infection from scratching. Apply as needed throughout the day.

Step 5: Aloe Vera Gel + Turmeric (Ongoing Soothing)

For the ongoing healing phase (day 2 onward), mix a small pinch of turmeric into fresh aloe vera gel and apply to the site. Aloe vera is Pitta-pacifying, wound-healing, and deeply moisturizing — ideal as the skin begins to repair. This combination keeps the site cool, prevents scabbing from cracking, and continues antibacterial coverage.

Classical Lepa Proportions

Traditional Ayurvedic Lepa preparations are described with specific mixing ratios. These are the reference proportions from classical texts:

Science Behind Ayurvedic Bite Remedies

Modern phytochemistry and pharmacology have begun to explain why the herbs recommended in classical Visha Chikitsa texts work. The mechanisms align closely with what modern medicine identifies as the key biochemical events in insect venom reactions: histamine release, prostaglandin-driven inflammation, cytokine cascades, and secondary microbial infection.

Turmeric — Curcumin's Venom-Response Mechanisms

Turmeric's active compound curcumin is one of the most studied natural anti-inflammatory molecules. Its relevance to bite reactions specifically:

• NF-κB inhibition: Curcumin suppresses Nuclear Factor kappa-B, the master regulatory switch for inflammatory cytokine production. Venom-induced inflammation heavily involves NF-κB activation — curcumin directly counteracts this pathway.
• COX-2 inhibition: Similar mechanism to ibuprofen, but without the same gastrointestinal side effect profile. COX-2 produces prostaglandins, the mediators responsible for the throbbing pain and heat of a sting reaction.
• Antimicrobial action: Curcumin is active against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes — the two most common bacteria responsible for cellulitis following bite wounds.

Neem — Azadirachtin and Nimbidin

Neem's bioactive compounds — azadirachtin, nimbidin, and nimbolide — provide the biochemical basis for its classical Krimighna (antimicrobial) and Vishahara actions:

• Azadirachtin: Well-documented insect repellent activity (relevant for prevention); also anti-inflammatory via prostaglandin pathway inhibition.
• Nimbidin: Shows anti-inflammatory activity comparable to cortisone in some animal models, specifically reducing histamine-induced wheal formation in skin — directly relevant to insect bite reactions.
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial action against skin pathogens prevents the cellulitis that can follow scratched bites.

Sandalwood — Santalol's Antipruritic Action

Alpha- and beta-santalol, the primary active compounds in sandalwood essential oil, have been studied for skin conditions involving itch and inflammation:

• Research has shown santalol activates olfactory receptors in skin keratinocytes (specifically OR2AT4), which slows cell proliferation and may reduce the itch-scratch cycle at the receptor level.
• Anti-inflammatory activity: santalol inhibits leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 in laboratory studies — two key mediators of the Pitta-type inflammatory response.
• A 2018 pilot study found sandalwood oil lotion significantly reduced itch severity in chronic pruritic skin conditions — supporting the classical Kandughna claim.

Coriander — Linalool's Antihistamine-Like Activity

Linalool, the dominant terpene in coriander (both seed and leaf), has demonstrated antihistamine-like and anxiolytic properties in pharmacological research. Its relevance to bites:

• Inhibits histamine-induced paw edema in animal models (supporting the antiallergenic classification).
• Diuretic activity has been confirmed in studies, supporting the classical rationale for using coriander to enhance renal clearance of toxins.
• Anti-inflammatory via cytokine suppression (TNF-α, IL-6 reduction in cell studies).

Coconut Oil — Lauric Acid's Antimicrobial Role

Virgin coconut oil's lauric acid content (approximately 50% of fatty acid composition) has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against gram-positive skin pathogens in multiple studies. When used as a carrier for turmeric or neem topical preparations, coconut oil is not inert — it contributes active infection-prevention alongside its role as an absorption enhancer.

Aloe Vera — Confirmed Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory

Aloe vera gel contains acemannan (immune-modulating polysaccharide), aloin (anti-inflammatory), and multiple growth factors that support wound healing. Multiple clinical studies confirm faster re-epithelialization (skin healing) with topical aloe vera compared to placebo. Its cooling properties are attributable to its high water content (approximately 99%) and viscosity, which creates an evaporative cooling effect at the skin surface.

When a Bite or Sting Is a Medical Emergency

Other Situations Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Snake or Scorpion Bite
Go to an emergency room immediately regardless of how you feel. Specific antivenoms exist for many species and must be administered within a defined time window. Do not apply ice, do not try to suck out venom, do not make cuts. Keep the affected limb below heart level and move as little as possible while getting to care.

Black Widow or Brown Recluse Spider Bite
Black widow venom causes systemic neurotoxic symptoms (muscle cramps, rigidity, hypertension). Brown recluse venom causes tissue necrosis — the bite site progressively dies. Both require medical evaluation. Brown recluse bites may appear mild initially and worsen dramatically over 24–72 hours.

Bite with Spreading Red Streaks
Red lines radiating outward from a bite site — especially combined with warmth, pain, and possibly fever — indicate cellulitis or lymphangitis (bacterial infection spreading through lymph channels). This requires antibiotics and sometimes hospitalization. Do not attempt to manage this with home remedies.

Sting in Mouth, Throat, or on the Tongue
Even without anaphylaxis, a sting in the throat area can cause localized swelling sufficient to compromise the airway. Seek emergency care immediately — this situation can deteriorate rapidly.

Multiple Bee or Wasp Stings
A large number of simultaneous stings (typically 10 or more, fewer in children or elderly) can cause toxic venom load, producing nausea, vomiting, fainting, and cardiac effects — even without classical allergy. Seek emergency care if stung multiple times.

Bite + Fever After 24–72 Hours
Fever developing after a bite indicates either systemic allergic reaction or secondary infection. In tropical areas, fever after a mosquito bite requires evaluation for dengue, malaria, or other vector-borne illness. Do not manage mosquito-bite-associated fever solely with home remedies.

The Ayurvedic Perspective on These Emergencies

Ayurveda's classical Visha Chikitsa texts themselves distinguish between minor local reactions manageable with herbs and Sthavara Visha (fixed/plant venoms) or Jangama Visha (animal venoms) that overwhelm the body's systems. The classical texts recommend immediate counter-measures including Vamana (therapeutic emesis) and Virechana (purgation) for serious venom exposure — procedures that require a trained Ayurvedic physician in a clinical setting, not home application.

The classical tradition never advocated using herbs alone for life-threatening venom exposures. Modern emergency medicine provides tools — epinephrine, antivenom, IV antihistamines — that did not exist classically but that represent exactly the kind of powerful, fast counter-measure that Visha Chikitsa always sought.

Drink cilantro juice or apply a sandalwood paste to the affected area.