I need to know how to cure body hives with herbs.
Hives, also called urticaria because it resembles the sting of nettle (Urtica dioica), may be a reaction to plants, animals, foods, chemicals or insects. In allergic reactions, the body produces histamine, which causes the symptoms such as swelling in hives, or watery eyes in hay fever.
There are many herbs that have antihistamine actions, some of the most common being nettles (although this sounds like a contradiction, a tincture or pills taken orally does result in an antihistamine reaction), German Chamomile and garlic.
James Duke in "The Green Pharmacy" (St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010) has found that fresh jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) applied externally has worked well to relieve histamine reactions. He also suggests a tea made from herbs with antihistamine properties: basil, chamomile, fennel, oregano, tarragon and regular black tea. This tea may be drunk, a few drops added to a bath, or a compress made by soaking a clean cloth in the tea and applied to the hives.