Originally Posted by
MadZ
hey mouse
the sap/juice, if you cut a twig or branch it should produce a liquid to an extent from the cut surfaces, not like a tap in a birch tree where you have a tap like flow, but just rub the juicy bit of the fresh cut twig/branch around the bite this will stop the itching, fresh juice from pulped leaves also works. the native Americans used alder alot for various reasons and a few where to stop itching, and for some skin conditions, The inner bark of Alder is used in poultices to stop swelling.
but heres a few more: Alder bark is prepared for medicinal use by carefully scraping off the dead outer bark and using the green, living tissue underneath. Alder bark can be simmered in water to make a wash for very deep wounds. The leaves and bark are simmered into a bitter tea for tonsillitis and fever. The leaves are used in poultices to dry up breast milk.
The Penobscot Indians used Alder bark tea to stop cramps and vomiting. The Mohegan used Speckled Alder twigs in decoctions for sprains, bruises, headache, and backache. Alder bark tea can also be used in the vagina as a douche or in the rectum for hemorrhoids. god only knows how the would have administered this treatment
another good little tip for the leaves, Alder leaves were once gathered while they were still damp with dew and used to cover the floors of a house plagued by fleas or other insects. Adhering to the leaves the insects died.
hope that sheds a bit more light for you dude
cheers Madz