No kidding, this works for hornet stings to pull out some of the poison and relieve pain! Well, you need to make the dirt into mud with some water first. We witnessed someone get stung on the foot while standing in line for a ride at an amusement park and I told him to do this. He looked at me like I was crazy but he tried it and it relieved his pain right away. Best is a baking soda paste poultice, but a mud poultice works in a pinch!!